Regulation of human transketolase-like enzyme

ABSTRACT

Reagents which regulate human transketolase-like enzyme and reagents which bind to human transketolase-like enzyme gene products can play a role in preventing, ameliorating, or correcting dysfunctions or diseases including, but not limited to, cancer, anemia, and end-stage renal disease, including sensory periphery neuropathy associated with uremia.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the regulation of a human transketolase-like enzyme.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Transketolase contains Mg⁺⁺ and a tightly bound thiamin pyrophosphate and transfers a glycoaldehyde group from D-xylulose 5-phosphate to D-ribose 5-phosphate to form the seven-carbon sugar phosphate D-sedoheptulose 7-phosphate and D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, which is an intermediate of glycolysis. See Lehninger, BIOCHEMISTRY, 2d ed., at pages 468-49 (1975). Genes which code for transketolase have been isolated and described from Mus musculus (Schimmer et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271, 4993-98, 1996), from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Flechter et al., Biochemistry 31, 1892-96, 1993; Sundstrom et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268, 24346-52, 1993; Schaff-Gerstenschlager et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 217, 487-92, 1993), from Hansenula polymorpha (Janowicz et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 13, 3043-62, 1985), from human erythrocytes (Abedinia et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 183, 1159-66, 1992; McCool et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268, 1397-404, 1993), from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (Chen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20447-52, 1992) and from Escherichia coli (Sprenger, Biochem. Biophys. Acta 1216, 307-10, 1992; Tida et al., J. Bacteriol. 175, 5375-83, 1993). Two transketolase isoforms have been described in plant tissues (Murphy and Walker, Planta 155, 316-20, 1982). Because of the importance of this enzyme in a variety of metabolic pathways, there is a need in the art to identify additional human transketolase-like enzymes which can be regulated to provide therapeutic effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide reagents and methods of regulating a human transketolase-like enzyme. This and other objects of the invention are provided by one or more of the embodiments described below.

[0004] One embodiment of the invention is a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0005] amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and

[0006] the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0007] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which decrease extracellular matrix degradation. A test compound is contacted with a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0008] amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and

[0009] the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0010] Binding between the test compound and the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is detected. A test compound which binds to the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is thereby identified as a potential agent for decreasing extracellular matrix degradation. The agent can work by decreasing the activity of the transketolase-like enzyme.

[0011] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which decrease extracellular matrix degradation. A test compound is contacted with a polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0012] nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0013] the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0014] nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6; and

[0015] the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6.

[0016] Binding of the test compound to the polynucleotide is detected. A test compound which binds to the polynucleotide is identified as a potential agent for decreasing extracellular matrix degradation. The agent can work by decreasing the amount of the transketolase-like enzyme through interacting with the transketolase-like enzyme mRNA.

[0017] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which regulate extracellular matrix degradation. A test compound is contacted with a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0018] amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and

[0019] the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0020] A transketolase-like enzyme activity of the polypeptide is detected. A test compound which increases transketolase-like enzyme activity of the polypeptide relative to transketolase-like enzyme activity in the absence of the test compound is thereby identified as a potential agent for increasing extracellular matrix degradation. A test compound which decreases transketolase-like enzyme activity of the polypeptide relative to transketolase-like enzyme activity in the absence of the test compound is thereby identified as a potential agent for decreasing extracellular matrix degradation.

[0021] Even another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which decrease extracellular matrix degradation. A test compound is contacted with a transketolase-like enzyme product of a polynucleotide which comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0022] nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0023] the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0024] nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6; and

[0025] the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6.

[0026] Binding of the test compound to the transketolase-like enzyme product is detected. A test compound which binds to the transketolase-like enzyme product is thereby identified as a potential agent for decreasing extracellular matrix degradation.

[0027] Still another embodiment of the invention is a method of reducing extracellular matrix degradation. A cell is contacted with a reagent which specifically binds to a polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or the product encoded by the polynucleotide, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0028] nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0029] the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1;

[0030] nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6;

[0031] the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6.

[0032] Transketolase-like enzyme activity in the cell is thereby decreased.

[0033] The invention thus provides a human transketolase-like enzyme which can be used to identify test compounds which may act, for example, as agonists or antagonists at the enzyme's active site. Human transketolase-like enzyme and fragments thereof also are useful in raising specific antibodies which can block the enzyme and effectively reduce its activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034]FIG. 1 shows the DNA-sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA-sequence of FIG. 1.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows the amino acid sequence of a mouse protein identified with SwissProt Accession No. P40142.

[0037]FIG. 4 shows the amino acid sequence of yeast transketolase.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows the amino acid sequence of the CG10231 gene product of D. melanogaster.

[0039]FIG. 6 shows the DNA-sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.

[0040]FIG. 7 shows the BLASTP alignment of transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide of FIG. 2 with the mouse protein identified with SwissProt Accession No. P40142 of FIG. 3.

[0041]FIG. 8 shows the alignment pattern for transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide of FIG. 2. The histidine in this sequence is missing, and this histidine residue (italics) appears to function in proton transfer during catalysis.

[0042]FIG. 9 shows the alignment of transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide of FIG. 2 with yeast transketolase of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The invention relates to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide and being selected from the group consisting of:

[0044] a) a polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

[0045] amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and

[0046] the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0047] b) a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1 or 6;

[0048] c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and (b);

[0049] d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code; and

[0050] e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d).

[0051] Furthermore, it has been discovered by the present applicant that a novel transketolase-like enzyme, particularly a human transketolase-like enzyme, is a discovery of the present invention. Human transketolase-like enzyme comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Human transketolase-like enzyme was identified by searching human sequences with the CG10231 gene product of D. melanogaster (SEQ ID NO:5). A coding sequence for human transketolase-like enzyme (SEQ ID NO:6) is found in the human clone identified with GenBank Accession No. gb|AC011998.3|AC011998 Homo sapiens clone RP11-318F5 (working draft sequence, 9 unordered pieces; version AC011998.3; SEQ ID NO:1). Human transketolase-like enzyme is 67% identical over 614 amino acids to the mouse protein identified with SwissProt Accession No. P40142 and annotated as a transketolase (FIG. 1). Human transketolase-like enzyme as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 contains a transketolase region from residue 19 to 268 (bold and underlined in FIG. 3), a transketolase region from residue 310 to 615 (bold in FIG. 3), and an ATP/GTP binding region from residue 594 to 602 (italics in FIG. 3).

[0052] The human transketolase-like enzyme of the invention is expected to be useful for the same purposes as previously identified transketolases. Thus, human transketolase-like enzyme can be used in therapeutic methods to treat disorders such as cancer, anemia, and end-stage renal disease, including sensory periphery neuropathy associated with uremia. Human transketolase-like enzyme also can be used to screen for human transketolase-like enzyme agonists and antagonists.

[0053] Polypeptides

[0054] Transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides according to the invention comprise at least 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, or 600 contiguous amino acids selected from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or a biologically active variant thereof, as defined below. A transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide of the invention therefore can be a portion of a transketolase-like enzyme protein, a full-length transketolase-like enzyme protein, or a fusion protein comprising all or a portion of a transketolase-like enzyme protein.

[0055] Biologically Active Variants

[0056] Transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide variants which are biologically active, i.e., retain the ability to bind thiamin pyrophosphate, to transfer a glycoaldehyde group from D-xylulose 5-phosphate to D-ribose 5-phosphate, or to carry out other transketolase-like activities, also are transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides. Preferably, naturally or non-naturally occurring transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide variants have amino acid sequences which are at least about 70, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof. Percent identity between a putative transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide variant and an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 is determined using the Blast2 alignment program (Blosum62, Expect 10, standard genetic codes).

[0057] Variations in percent identity can be due, for example, to amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions. Amino acid substitutions are defined as one for one amino acid replacements. They are conservative in nature when the substituted amino acid has similar structural and/or chemical properties. Examples of conservative replacements are substitution of a leucine with an isoleucine or valine, an aspartate with a glutamate, or a threonine with a serine.

[0058] Amino acid insertions or deletions are changes to or within an amino acid sequence. They typically fall in the range of about 1 to 5 amino acids. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues can be substituted, inserted, or deleted without abolishing biological or immunological activity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be found using computer programs well known in the art, such as DNASTAR software. Whether an amino acid change results in a biologically active transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can readily be determined by assaying for transketolase activity or for ATP or GTP binding, as described for example, in the specific Examples, below.

[0059] Fusion Proteins

[0060] Fusion proteins are useful for generating antibodies against transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide amino acid sequences and for use in various assay systems. For example, fusion proteins can be used to identify proteins which interact with portions of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. Protein affinity chromatography or library-based assays for protein-protein interactions, such as the yeast two-hybrid or phage display systems, can be used for this purpose. Such methods are well known in the art and also can be used as drug screens.

[0061] A transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide fusion protein comprises two polypeptide segments fused together by means of a peptide bond. The first polypeptide segment comprises at least 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, or 600 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or of a biologically active variant, such as those described above. The first polypeptide segment also can comprise full-length transketolase-like enzyme protein.

[0062] The second polypeptide segment can be a full-length protein or a protein fragment. Proteins commonly used in fusion protein construction include β-galactosidase, β-glucuronidase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), autofluorescent proteins, including blue fluorescent protein (BFP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), luciferase, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Additionally, epitope tags are used in fusion protein constructions, including histidine (His) tags, FLAG tags, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) tags, Myc tags, VSV-G tags, and thioredoxin (Trx) tags. Other fusion constructions can include maltose binding protein (MBP), S-tag, Lex a DNA binding domain (DBD) fusions, GAL4 DNA binding domain fusions, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) BPI6 protein fusions. A fusion protein also can be engineered to contain a cleavage site located between the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide-encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence, so that the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be cleaved and purified away from the heterologous moiety.

[0063] A fusion protein can be synthesized chemically, as is known in the art. Preferably, a fusion protein is produced by covalently linking two polypeptide segments or by standard procedures in the art of molecular biology. Recombinant DNA methods can be used to prepare fusion proteins, for example, by making a DNA construct which comprises coding sequences selected from SEQ ID NO:6 in proper reading frame with nucleotides encoding the second polypeptide segment and expressing the DNA construct in a host cell, as is known in the art. Many kits for constructing fusion proteins are available from companies such as Promega Corporation (Madison, Wis.), Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.), CLONTECH (Mountain View, Calif.), Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, Calif.), MBL International Corporation (MIC; Watertown, Mass.), and Quantum Biotechnologies (Montreal, Canada; 1-888-DNA-KITS).

[0064] Identification of Species Homologs

[0065] Species homologs of human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be obtained using transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide polynucleotides (described below) to make suitable probes or primers for screening cDNA expression libraries from other species, such as mice, monkeys, or yeast, identifying cDNAs which encode homologs of transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, and expressing the cDNAs as is known in the art.

[0066] Polynucleotides

[0067] A transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be single- or double-stranded and comprises a coding sequence or the complement of a coding sequence for a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. A coding sequence for human transketolase-like enzyme is shown in SEQ ID NO:6; this coding sequence is contained within SEQ ID NO:1.

[0068] Degenerate nucleotide sequences encoding human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides, as well as homologous nucleotide sequences which are at least about 50, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NOS:1 and 6 also are transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides. Percent sequence identity between the sequences of two polynucleotides is determined using computer programs such as ALIGN which employ the FASTA algorithm, using an affine gap search with a gap open penalty of −12 and a gap extension penalty of −2. Complementary DNA (cDNA) molecules, species homologs, and variants of transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides which encode biologically active transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides also are Transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides.

[0069] Identification of Polynucleotide Variants and Homologs

[0070] Variants and homologs of the transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides described above also are transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides. Typically, homologous Transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide sequences can be identified by hybridization of candidate polynucleotides to known transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides under stringent conditions, as is known in the art. For example, using the following wash conditions—2× SSC (0.3 M NaCl, 0.03 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0), 0.1% SDS, room temperature twice, 30 minutes each; then 2× SSC, 0.1% SDS, 50° C. once, 30 minutes; then 2×SSC, room temperature twice, 10 minutes each—homologous sequences can be identified which contain at most about 25-30% basepair mismatches. More preferably, homologous nucleic acid strands contain 15-25% basepair mismatches, even more preferably 5-15% basepair mismatches.

[0071] Species homologs of the transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides disclosed herein also can be identified by making suitable probes or primers and screening cDNA expression libraries from other species, such as mice, monkeys, or yeast. Human variants of transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides can be identified, for example, by screening human cDNA expression libraries. It is well known that the T_(m) of a double-stranded DNA decreases by 1-1.5° C. with every 1% decrease in homology (Bonner et al., J. Mol. Biol. 81, 123 (1973). Variants of human transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides or transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides of other species can therefore be identified by hybridizing a putative homologous transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide with a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or the complement thereof to form a test hybrid. The melting temperature of the test hybrid is compared with the melting temperature of a hybrid comprising polynucleotides having perfectly complementary nucleotide sequences, and the number or percent of basepair mismatches within the test hybrid is calculated.

[0072] Nucleotide sequences which hybridize to transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides or their complements following stringent hybridization and/or wash conditions also are transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides. Stringent wash conditions are well known and understood in the art and are disclosed, for example, in Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2d ed., 1989, at pages 9.50-9.51.

[0073] Typically, for stringent hybridization conditions a combination of temperature and salt concentration should be chosen that is approximately 12-20° C. below the calculated T_(m) of the hybrid under study. The T_(m) of a hybrid between a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 6 or the complement thereof and a polynucleotide sequence which is at least about 50, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to one of those nucleotide sequences can be calculated, for example, using the equation of Bolton and McCarthy, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 48, 1390 (1962):

T_(m)=81.5° C.−16.6(log₁₀[Na⁺])+0.41(% G+C)−0.63(%formamide)—600/1,

[0074] where l=the length of the hybrid in basepairs.

[0075] Stringent wash conditions include, for example, 4×SSC at 65° C., or 50% formamide, 4×SSC at 42° C., or 0.5×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. Highly stringent wash conditions include, for example, 0.2×SSC at 65° C.

[0076] Preparation of Polynucleotides

[0077] A naturally occurring transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be isolated free of other cellular components such as membrane components, proteins, and lipids. Polynucleotides can be made by a cell and isolated using standard nucleic acid purification techniques, or synthesized using an amplification technique, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or by using an automatic synthesizer. Methods for isolating polynucleotides are routine and are known in the art. Any such technique for obtaining a polynucleotide can be used to obtain isolated transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides. For example, restriction enzymes and probes can be used to isolate polynucleotide fragments which comprises transketolase-like enzyme nucleotide sequences. Isolated polynucleotides are in preparations which are free or at least 70, 80, or 90% free of other molecules.

[0078] Transketolase-like enzyme cDNA molecules can be made with standard molecular biology techniques, using transketolase-like enzyme mRNA as a template. Transketolase-like enzyme cDNA molecules can thereafter be replicated using molecular biology techniques known in the art and disclosed in manuals such as Sambrook et al. (1989). An amplification technique, such as PCR, can be used to obtain additional copies of polynucleotides of the invention, using either human genomic DNA or cDNA as a template.

[0079] Alternatively, synthetic chemistry techniques can be used to synthesizes transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides. The degeneracy of the genetic code allows alternate nucleotide sequences to be synthesized which will encode a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide having, for example, an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or a biologically active variant thereof.

[0080] Extending Polynucleotides

[0081] Various PCR-based methods can be used to extend the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein to detect upstream sequences such as promoters and regulatory elements. For example, restriction-site PCR uses universal primers to retrieve unknown sequence adjacent to a known locus (Sarkar, PCR Methods Applic. 2, 318-322, 1993). Genomic DNA is first amplified in the presence of a primer to a linker sequence and a primer specific to the known region. The amplified sequences are then subjected to a second round of PCR with the same linker primer and another specific primer internal to the first one. Products of each round of PCR are transcribed with an appropriate RNA polymerase and sequenced using reverse transcriptase.

[0082] Inverse PCR also can be used to amplify or extend sequences using divergent primers based on a known region (Triglia et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16, 8186, 1988). Primers can be designed using commercially available software, such as OLIGO 4.06 Primer Analysis software (National Biosciences Inc., Plymouth, Minn.), to be 22-30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures about 68-72° C. The method uses several restriction enzymes to generate a suitable fragment in the known region of a gene. The fragment is then circularized by intramolecular ligation and used as a PCR template.

[0083] Another method which can be used is capture PCR, which involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to a known sequence in human and yeast artificial chromosome DNA (Lagerstrom et al., PCR Methods Applic. 1, 111-119, 1991). In this method, multiple restriction enzyme digestions and ligations also can be used to place an engineered double-stranded sequence into an unknown fragment of the DNA molecule before performing PCR.

[0084] Another method which can be used to retrieve unknown sequences is that of Parker et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 3055-3060, 1991). Additionally, PCR, nested primers, and PROMOTERFINDER libraries (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, Calif.) can be used to walk genomic DNA (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, Calif.). This process avoids the need to screen libraries and is useful in finding intron/exon junctions.

[0085] When screening for full-length cDNAs, it is preferable to use libraries that have been size-selected to include larger cDNAs. Randomly-primed libraries are preferable, in that they will contain more sequences which contain the 5′ regions of genes. Use of a randomly primed library may be especially preferable for situations in which an oligo d(T) library does not yield a full-length cDNA. Genomic libraries can be useful for extension of sequence into 5′ non-transcribed regulatory regions.

[0086] Commercially available capillary electrophoresis systems can be used to analyze the size or confirm the nucleotide sequence of PCR or sequencing products. For example, capillary sequencing can employ flowable polymers for electrophoretic separation, four different fluorescent dyes (one for each nucleotide) which are laser activated, and detection of the emitted wavelengths by a charge coupled device camera. Output/light intensity can be converted to electrical signal using appropriate software (e.g. GENOTYPER and Sequence NAVIGATOR, Perkin Elmer), and the entire process from loading of samples to computer analysis and electronic data display can be computer controlled. Capillary electrophoresis is especially preferable for the sequencing of small pieces of DNA which might be present in limited amounts in a particular sample.

[0087] Obtaining Polypeptides

[0088] Transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be obtained, for example, by purification from human cells, by expression of transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotides, or by direct chemical synthesis.

[0089] Protein Purification

[0090] Transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be purified from any human cell which expresses the enzyme, including host cells which have been transfected with transketolase-like enzyme expression constructs. A purified transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is separated from other compounds which normally associate with the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide in the cell, such as certain proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids, using methods well-known in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, size exclusion chromatography, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and preparative gel electrophoresis. A preparation of purified transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides is at least 80% pure; preferably, the preparations are 90%, 95%, or 99% pure. Purity of the preparations can be assessed by any means known in the art, such as SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

[0091] Expression of Polynucleotides

[0092] To express a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide, the polynucleotide can be inserted into an expression vector which contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence. Methods which are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides and appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. Such techniques are described, for example, in Sambrook et al. (1989) and in Ausubel et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., 1989.

[0093] A variety of expression vector/host systems can be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms, such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors; yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors, insect cell systems infected with virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus), plant cell systems transformed with virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or with bacterial expression vectors (e.g., Ti or pBR322 plasmids), or animal cell systems.

[0094] The control elements or regulatory sequences are those non-translated regions of the vector—enhancers, promoters, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions—which interact with host cellular proteins to carry out transcription and translation. Such elements can vary in their strength and specificity. Depending on the vector system and host utilized, any number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutive and inducible promoters, can be used. For example, when cloning in bacterial systems, inducible promoters such as the hybrid lacZ promoter of the BLUESCRIPT phagemid (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) or pSPORT1 plasmid (Life Technologies) and the like can be used. The baculovirus polyhedrin promoter can be used in insect cells. Promoters or enhancers derived from the genomes of plant cells (e.g., heat shock, RUBISCO, and storage protein genes) or from plant viruses (e.g., viral promoters or leader sequences) can be cloned into the vector. In mammalian cell systems, promoters from mammalian genes or from mammalian viruses are preferable. If it is necessary to generate a cell line that contains multiple copies of a nucleotide sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, vectors based on SV40 or EBV can be used with an appropriate selectable marker.

[0095] Bacterial and Yeast Expression Systems

[0096] In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors can be selected depending upon the use intended for the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. For example, when a large quantity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is needed for the induction of antibodies, vectors which direct high level expression of fusion proteins that are readily purified can be used. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, multifunctional E. coli cloning and expression vectors such as BLUESCRIPT (Stratagene). In a BLUESCRIPT vector, a sequence encoding the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be ligated into the vector in frame with sequences for the amino-terminal Met and the subsequent 7 residues of β-galactosidase so that a hybrid protein is produced. pIN vectors (Van Heeke & Schuster, J. Biol. Chem. 264, 5503-5509, 1989) or pGEX vectors (Promega, Madison, Wis.) also can be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. Proteins made in such systems can be designed to include heparin, thrombin, or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned polypeptide of interest can be released from the GST moiety at will.

[0097] In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a number of vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase, and PGH can be used. For reviews, see Ausubel et al. (1989) and Grant et al., Methods EnzymoL 153, 516-544, 1987.

[0098] Plant and Insect Expression Systems

[0099] If plant expression vectors are used, the expression of sequences encoding transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be driven by any of a number of promoters. For example, viral promoters such as the 35S and 19S promoters of CaMV can be used alone or in combination with the omega leader sequence from TMV (Takamatsu, EMBO J. 6, 307-311, 1987). Alternatively, plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO or heat shock promoters can be used (Coruzzi et al., EMBO J. 3, 1671-1680, 1984; Broglie et al., Science 224, 838-843, 1984; Winter et al., Results Probl. Cell Differ. 17, 85-105, 1991). These constructs can be introduced into plant cells by direct DNA transformation or by pathogen-mediated transfection. Such techniques are described in a number of generally available reviews (e.g., Hobbs or Murray, in McGRAW HILL YEARBOOK OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, McGraw Hill, New York, N.Y., pp. 191-196, 1992).

[0100] An insect system also can be used to express a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. For example, in one such system Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes in Spodoptera frugiperda cells or in Trichoplusia larvae. Sequences encoding transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be cloned into a non-essential region of the virus, such as the polyhedrin gene, and placed under control of the polyhedrin promoter. Successful insertion of transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides will render the polyhedrin gene inactive and produce recombinant virus lacking coat protein. The recombinant viruses can then be used to infect S. frugiperda cells or Trichoplusia larvae in which transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be expressed (Engelhard et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 91, 3224-3227, 1994).

[0101] Mammalian Expression Systems

[0102] A number of viral-based expression systems can be used to express transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides in mammalian host cells. For example, if an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, sequences encoding transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex comprising the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion in a non-essential E1 or E3 region of the viral genome can be used to obtain a viable virus which is capable of expressing a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide in infected host cells (Logan & Shenk, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81, 3655-3659, 1984). If desired, transcription enhancers, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer, can be used to increase expression in mammalian host cells.

[0103] Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) also can be used to deliver larger fragments of DNA than can be contained and expressed in a plasmid. HACs of 6M to 10M are constructed and delivered to cells via conventional delivery methods (e.g., liposomes, polycationic amino polymers, or vesicles).

[0104] Specific initiation signals also can be used to achieve more efficient translation of sequences encoding transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides. Such signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where sequences encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, its initiation codon, and upstream sequences are inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional transcriptional or translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only coding sequence, or a fragment thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals (including the ATG initiation codon) should be provided. The initiation codon should be in the correct reading frame to ensure translation of the entire insert. Exogenous translational elements and initiation codons can be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression can be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers which are appropriate for the particular cell system which is used (see Scharf et al., Results Probl. Cell Differ. 20, 125-162, 1994).

[0105] Host Cells

[0106] A host cell strain can be chosen for its ability to modulate the expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide in the desired fashion. Such modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation, and acylation. Post-translational processing which cleaves a “prepro” form of the polypeptide also can be used to facilitate correct insertion, folding and/or function. Different host cells which have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for post-translational activities (e.g., CHO, HeLa, MDCK, HEK293, and W138), are available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209) and can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein.

[0107] Stable expression is preferred for long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins. For example, cell lines which stably express transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be transformed using expression vectors which can contain viral origins of replication and/or endogenous expression elements and a selectable marker gene on the same or on a separate vector. Following the introduction of the vector, cells can be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched medium before they are switched to a selective medium. The purpose of the selectable marker is to confer resistance to selection, and its presence allows growth and recovery of cells which successfully express the introduced transketolase-like enzyme sequences. Resistant clones of stably transformed cells can be proliferated using tissue culture techniques appropriate to the cell type. See, for example, ANIMAL CELL CULTURE, R. I. Freshney, ed., 1986.

[0108] Any number of selection systems can be used to recover transformed cell lines. These include, but are not limited to, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler et al., Cell 11, 223-32, 1977) and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy et al., Cell 22, 817-23, 1980) genes which can be employed in tk⁻ or aprt⁻ cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite, antibiotic, or herbicide resistance can be used as the basis for selection. For example, dhfr confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 77, 3567-70, 1980), npt confers resistance to the aminoglycosides, neomycin and G418 (Colbere-Garapin et al., J. Mol. Biol. 150, 1-14, 1981), and als and pat confer resistance to chlorsulfuron and phosphinotricin acetyltransferase, respectively (Murray, 1992, supra). Additional selectable genes have been described. For example, trpB allows cells to utilize indole in place of tryptophan, or hisD, which allows cells to utilize histinol in place of histidine (Hartman & Mulligan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 85, 8047-51, 1988). Visible markers such as anthocyanins, _-glucuronidase and its substrate GUS, and luciferase and its substrate luciferin, can be used to identify transformants and to quantify the amount of transient or stable protein expression attributable to a specific vector system (Rhodes et al., Methods Mol. Biol. 55, 121-131, 1995).

[0109] Detecting Expression

[0110] Although the presence of marker gene expression suggests that the transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide is also present, its presence and expression may need to be confirmed. For example, if a sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is inserted within a marker gene sequence, transformed cells containing sequences which encode a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be identified by the absence of marker gene function. Alternatively, a marker gene can be placed in tandem with a sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide under the control of a single promoter. Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection usually indicates expression of the transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide.

[0111] Alternatively, host cells which contain a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide and which express a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridizations and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane, solution, or chip-based technologies for the detection and/or quantification of nucleic acid or protein. For example, the presence of a polynucleotide sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be detected by DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization or amplification using probes or fragments or fragments of polynucleotides encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. Nucleic acid amplification-based assays involve the use of oligonucleotides selected from sequences encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide to detect transformants which contain a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide.

[0112] A variety of protocols for detecting and measuring the expression of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for the polypeptide, are known in the art. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering epitopes on a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be used, or a competitive binding assay can be employed. These and other assays are described in Hampton et al., SEROLOGICAL METHODS: A LABORATORY MANUAL, APS Press, St. Paul, Minn., 1990) and Maddox et al., J. Exp. Med. 158, 1211-1216, 1983).

[0113] A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known by those skilled in the art and can be used in various nucleic acid and amino acid assays. Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides include oligolabeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide. Alternatively, sequences encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and can be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of labeled nucleotides and an appropriate RNA polymerase such as T7, T3, or SP6. These procedures can be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Promega, and US Biochemical). Suitable reporter molecules or labels which can be used for ease of detection include radionuclides, enzymes, and fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents, as well as substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the like.

[0114] Expression and Purification of Polypeptides

[0115] Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the protein from cell culture. The polypeptide produced by a transformed cell can be secreted or contained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of soluble transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane or which direct the membrane insertion of membrane-bound transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.

[0116] As discussed above, other constructions can be used to join a sequence encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide domain which will facilitate purification of soluble proteins. Such purification facilitating domains include, but are not limited to, metal chelating peptides such as histidine-tryptophan modules that allow purification on immobilized metals, protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin, and the domain utilized in the FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp., Seattle, Wash.). Inclusion of cleavable linker sequences such as those specific for Factor Xa or enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) between the purification domain and the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide also can be used to facilitate purification. One such expression vector provides for expression of a fusion protein containing a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide and 6 histidine residues preceding a thioredoxin or an enterokinase cleavage site. The histidine residues facilitate purification by IMAC (immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, as described in Porath et al., Prot. Exp. Purif. 3, 263-281, 1992), while the enterokinase cleavage site provides a means for purifying the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide from the fusion protein. Vectors which contain fusion proteins are disclosed in Kroll et al., DNA Cell Biol. 12, 441-453, 1993.

[0117] Chemical Synthesis

[0118] Sequences encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art (see Caruthers et al., Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 215-223, 1980; Horn et al. Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 225-232, 1980). Alternatively, a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide itself can be produced using chemical methods to synthesize its amino acid sequence, such as by direct peptide synthesis using solid-phase techniques (Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85, 2149-2154, 1963; Roberge et al., Science 269, 202-204, 1995). Protein synthesis can be performed using manual techniques or by automation. Automated synthesis can be achieved, for example, using Applied Biosystems 431A Peptide Synthesizer (Perkin Elmer). Optionally, fragments of transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be separately synthesized and combined using chemical methods to produce a full-length molecule.

[0119] The newly synthesized peptide can be substantially purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (e.g., Creighton, PROTEINS: STRUCTURES AND MOLECULAR PRINCIPLES, WH Freeman and Co., New York, N.Y., 1983). The composition of a synthetic transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be confirmed by amino acid analysis or sequencing (e.g., the Edman degradation procedure; see Creighton, supra). Additionally, any portion of the amino acid sequence of the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be altered during direct synthesis and/or combined using chemical methods with sequences from other proteins to produce a variant polypeptide or a fusion protein.

[0120] Production of Altered Polypeptides

[0121] As will be understood by those of skill in the art, it may be advantageous to produce transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequences possessing non-naturally occurring codons. For example, codons preferred by a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host can be selected to increase the rate of protein expression or to produce an RNA transcript having desirable properties, such as a half-life which is longer than that of a transcript generated from the naturally occurring sequence.

[0122] The nucleotide sequences disclosed herein can be engineered using methods generally known in the art to alter transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide-encoding sequences for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, alterations which modify the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the polypeptide or mRNA product. DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides can be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences. For example, site-directed mutagenesis can be used to insert new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, introduce mutations, and so forth.

[0123] Antibodies

[0124] Any type of antibody known in the art can be generated to bind specifically to an epitope of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. “Antibody” as used herein includes intact immunoglobulin molecules, as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab′)₂, and Fv, which are capable of binding an epitope of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. Typically, at least 6, 8, 10, or 12 contiguous amino acids are required to form an epitope. However, epitopes which involve non-contiguous amino acids may require more, e.g., at least 15, 25, or 50 amino acids.

[0125] An antibody which specifically binds to an epitope of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be used therapeutically, as well as in immunochemical assays, such as Western blots, ELISAs, radioimmunoassays, immunohistochemical assays, immunoprecipitations, or other immunochemical assays known in the art. Various immunoassays can be used to identify antibodies having the desired specificity. Numerous protocols for competitive binding or immunoradiometric assays are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between an immunogen and an antibody which specifically binds to the immunogen.

[0126] Typically, an antibody which specifically binds to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide provides a detection signal at least 5-, 10-, or 20-fold higher than a detection signal provided with other proteins when used in an immunochemical assay. Preferably, antibodies which specifically bind to transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides do not detect other proteins in immunochemical assays and can immunoprecipitate a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide from solution.

[0127] Transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides can be used to immunize a mammal, such as a mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, monkey, or human, to produce polyclonal antibodies. If desired, a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be conjugated to a carrier protein, such as bovine serum albumin, thyroglobulin, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Depending on the host species, various adjuvants can be used to increase the immunological response. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's adjuvant, mineral gels (e.g., aluminum hydroxide), and surface active substances (e.g. lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and dinitrophenol). Among adjuvants used in humans, BCG (bacilli Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum are especially useful.

[0128] Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique, and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Kohler et al., Nature 256, 495-497, 1985; Kozbor et al., J. Immunol. Methods 81, 31-42, 1985; Cote et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 80, 2026-2030, 1983; Cole et al., Mol. Cell Biol. 62, 109-120, 1984).

[0129] In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies,” the splicing of mouse antibody genes to human antibody genes to obtain a molecule with appropriate antigen specificity and biological activity, can be used (Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81, 6851-6855, 1984; Neuberger et al., Nature 312, 604-608, 1984; Takeda et al., Nature 314, 452-454, 1985). Monoclonal and other antibodies also can be “humanized” to prevent a patient from mounting an immune response against the antibody when it is used therapeutically. Such antibodies may be sufficiently similar in sequence to human antibodies to be used directly in therapy or may require alteration of a few key residues. Sequence differences between rodent antibodies and human sequences can be minimized by replacing residues which differ from those in the human sequences by site directed mutagenesis of individual residues or by grating of entire complementarity determining regions. Alternatively, humanized antibodies can be produced using recombinant methods, as described in GB2188638B. Antibodies which specifically bind to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can contain antigen binding sites which are either partially or fully humanized, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,332.

[0130] Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies can be adapted using methods known in the art to produce single chain antibodies which specifically bind to transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides. Antibodies with related specificity, but of distinct idiotypic composition, can be generated by chain shuffling from random combinatorial immunoglobin libraries (Burton, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88, 11120-23, 1991).

[0131] Single-chain antibodies also can be constructed using a DNA amplification method, such as PCR, using hybridoma cDNA as a template (Thirion et al., 1996, Eur. J Cancer Prev. 5, 507-11). Single-chain antibodies can be mono- or bispecific, and can be bivalent or tetravalent. Construction of tetravalent, bispecific single-chain antibodies is taught, for example, in Coloma & Morrison, 1997, Nat. Biotechnol. 15, 159-63. Construction of bivalent, bispecific single-chain antibodies is taught in Mallender & Voss, 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 199-206.

[0132] A nucleotide sequence encoding a single-chain antibody can be constructed using manual or automated nucleotide synthesis, cloned into an expression construct using standard recombinant DNA methods, and introduced into a cell to express the coding sequence, as described below. Alternatively, single-chain antibodies can be produced directly using, for example, filamentous phage technology (Verhaar et al., 1995, Int. J. Cancer 61, 497-501; Nicholls et al., 1993, J. Immunol. Meth. 165, 81-91).

[0133] Antibodies which specifically bind to transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides also can be produced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed in the literature (Orlandi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 86, 3833-3837, 1989; Winter et al., Nature 349, 293-299, 1991).

[0134] Other types of antibodies can be constructed and used therapeutically in methods of the invention. For example, chimeric antibodies can be constructed as disclosed in WO 93/03151. Binding proteins which are derived from immunoglobulins and which are multivalent and multispecific, such as the “diabodies” described in WO 94/13804, also can be prepared.

[0135] Antibodies according to the invention can be purified by methods well known in the art. For example, antibodies can be affinity purified by passage over a column to which a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is bound. The bound antibodies can then be eluted from the column using a buffer with a high salt concentration.

[0136] Antisense Oligonucleotides

[0137] Antisense oligonucleotides are nucleotide sequences which are complementary to a specific DNA or RNA sequence. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary nucleotides combine with natural sequences produced by the cell to form complexes and block either transcription or translation. Preferably, an antisense oligonucleotide is at least 11 nucleotides in length, but can be at least 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 or more nucleotides long. Longer sequences also can be used. Antisense oligonucleotide molecules can be provided in a DNA construct and introduced into a cell as described above to decrease the level of transketolase-like enzyme gene products in the cell.

[0138] Antisense oligonucleotides can be deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, or a combination of both. Oligonucleotides can be synthesized manually or by an automated synthesizer, by covalently linking the 5′ end of one nucleotide with the 3′ end of another nucleotide with non-phosphodiester internucleotide linkages such alkylphosphonates, phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, alkylphosphonothioates, alkylphosphonates, phosphoramidates, phosphate esters, carbamates, acetamidate, carboxymethyl esters, carbonates, and phosphate triesters. See Brown, Metl. Mol. Biol. 20, 1-8, 1994; Sonveaux, Meth. Mol. Biol. 26, 1-72, 1994; Uhlmann et al., Chem. Rev. 90, 543-583, 1990.

[0139] Modifications of transketolase-like enzyme gene expression can be obtained by designing antisense oligonucleotides which will form duplexes to the control, 5′, or regulatory regions of the transketolase-like enzyme gene. Oligonucleotides derived from the transcription initiation site, e.g., between positions −10 and +10 from the start site, are preferred. Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using “triple helix” base-pairing methodology. Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability of the double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or chaperons. Therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described in the literature (e.g., Gee et al., in Huber & Carr, MOLECULAR AND IMMUNOLOGIC APPROACHES, Futura Publishing Co., Mt. Kisco, N.Y., 1994). An antisense oligonucleotide also can be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ribosomes.

[0140] Precise complementarity is not required for successful complex formation between an antisense oligonucleotide and the complementary sequence of a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide. Antisense oligonucleotides which comprise, for example, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more stretches of contiguous nucleotides which are precisely complementary to a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide, each separated by a stretch of contiguous nucleotides which are not complementary to adjacent transketolase-like enzyme nucleotides, can provide sufficient targeting specificity for transketolase-like enzyme mRNA. Preferably, each stretch of complementary contiguous nucleotides is at least 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 or more nucleotides in length. Non-complementary intervening sequences are preferably 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides in length. One skilled in the art can easily use the calculated melting point of an antisense-sense pair to determine the degree of mismatching which will be tolerated between a particular antisense oligonucleotide and a particular transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide sequence.

[0141] Antisense oligonucleotides can be modified without affecting their ability to hybridize to a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide. These modifications can be internal or at one or both ends of the antisense molecule. For example, internucleoside phosphate linkages can be modified by adding cholesteryl or diamine moieties with varying numbers of carbon residues between the amino groups and terminal ribose Modified bases and/or sugars, such as arabinose instead of ribose, or a 3′,5′-substituted oligonucleotide in which the 3′ hydroxyl group or the 5′ phosphate group are substituted, also can be employed in a modified antisense oligonucleotide. These modified oligonucleotides can be prepared by methods well known in the art. See, e.g., Agrawal et al., Trends Biotechnol. 10, 152-158, 1992; Uhlmann et al., Chem. Rev. 90, 543-584, 1990; Uhlmann et al., Tetrahedron. Lett. 215, 3539-3542, 1987.

[0142] Ribozymes

[0143] Ribozymes are RNA molecules with catalytic activity. See, e.g., Cech, Science 236, 1532-1539; 1987; Cech, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 59, 543-568; 1990, Cech, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 2, 605-609; 1992, Couture & Stinchcomb, Trends Genet. 12, 510-515, 1996. Ribozymes can be used to inhibit gene function by cleaving an RNA sequence, as is known in the art (e.g., Haseloff et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,673). The mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence-specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to complementary target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage. Examples include engineered hammerhead motif ribozyme molecules that can specifically and efficiently catalyze endonucleolytic cleavage of specific nucleotide sequences.

[0144] The coding sequence of a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be used to generate ribozymes which will specifically bind to mRNA transcribed from the transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide. Methods of designing and constructing ribozymes which can cleave other RNA molecules in trans in a highly sequence specific manner have been developed and described in the art (see Haseloff et al. Nature 334, 585-591, 1988). For example, the cleavage activity of ribozymes can be targeted to specific RNAs by engineering a discrete “hybridization” region into the ribozyme. The hybridization region contains a sequence complementary to the target RNA and thus specifically hybridizes with the target (see, for example, Gerlach et al., EP 321,201).

[0145] Specific ribozyme cleavage sites within a transketolase-like enzyme RNA target can be identified by scanning the target molecule for ribozyme cleavage sites which include the following sequences: GUA, GUU, and GUC. Once identified, short RNA sequences of between 15 and 20 ribonucleotides corresponding to the region of the target RNA containing the cleavage site can be evaluated for secondary structural features which may render the target inoperable. Suitability of candidate transketolase-like enzyme RNA targets also can be evaluated by testing accessibility to hybridization with complementary oligonucleotides using ribonuclease protection assays. Longer complementary sequences can be used to increase the affinity of the hybridization sequence for the target. The hybridizing and cleavage regions of the ribozyme can be integrally related such that upon hybridizing to the target RNA through the complementary regions, the catalytic region of the ribozyme can cleave the target.

[0146] Ribozymes can be introduced into cells as part of a DNA construct. Mechanical methods, such as microinjection, liposome-mediated transfection, electroporation, or calcium phosphate precipitation, can be used to introduce a ribozyme-containing DNA construct into cells in which it is desired to decrease transketolase-like enzyme expression. Alternatively, if it is desired that the cells stably retain the DNA construct, the construct can be supplied on a plasmid and maintained as a separate element or integrated into the genome of the cells, as is known in the art. A ribozyme-encoding DNA construct can include transcriptional regulatory elements, such as a promoter element, an enhancer or UAS element, and a transcriptional terminator signal, for controlling transcription of ribozymes in the cells.

[0147] As taught in Haseloff et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,673, ribozymes can be engineered so that ribozyme expression will occur in response to factors which induce expression of a target gene. Ribozymes also can be engineered to provide an additional level of regulation, so that destruction of mRNA occurs only when both a ribozyme and a target gene are induced in the cells.

[0148] Screening Methods

[0149] The invention provides assays for screening test compounds which bind to or modulate the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide. A test compound preferably binds to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or polynucleotide. More preferably, a test compound decreases or increases the ability of human transketolase-like enzyme to bind a thiamin pyrophosphate or decreases or increases transketolase or transketolase-like activity by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% relative to the absence of the test compound.

[0150] Test Compounds

[0151] Test compounds can be pharmacologic agents already known in the art or can be compounds previously unknown to have any pharmacological activity. The compounds can be naturally occurring or designed in the laboratory. They can be isolated from microorganisms, animals, or plants, and can be produced recombinantly, or synthesized by chemical methods known in the art. If desired, test compounds can be obtained using any of the numerous combinatorial library methods known in the art, including but not limited to, biological libraries, spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries, synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution, the “one-bead one-compound” library method, and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library approach is limited to polypeptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to polypeptide, non-peptide oligomer, or small molecule libraries of compounds. See Lam, Anticancer Drug Des. 12, 145, 1997.

[0152] Methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries are well known in the art (see, for example, DeWitt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 6909, 1993; Erb et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 11422, 1994; Zuckermann et al., J. Med. Chem. 37, 2678, 1994; Cho et al., Science 261, 1303, 1993; Carell et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33, 2059, 1994; Carell et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33, 2061; Gallop et al., J. Med. Chem. 37, 1233, 1994). Libraries of compounds can be presented in solution (see, e.g., Houghten, BioTechniques 13, 412-421, 1992), or on beads (Lam, Nature 354, 82-84, 1991), chips (Fodor, Nature 364, 555-556, 1993), bacteria or spores (Ladner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409), plasmids (Cull et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 1865-1869, 1992), or phage (Scott & Smith, Science 249, 386-390, 1990; Devlin, Science 249, 404-406, 1990); Cwirla et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 97, 6378-6382, 1990; Felici, J. Mol. Biol. 222, 301-310, 1991; and Ladner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409).

[0153] High Throughput Screening

[0154] Test compounds can be screened for the ability to bind to transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides or polynucleotides or to affect transketolase-like enzyme activity or transketolase-like enzyme gene expression using high throughput screening. Using high throughput screening, many discrete compounds can be tested in parallel so that large numbers of test compounds can be quickly screened. The most widely established techniques utilize 96-well microtiter plates. The wells of the microtiter plates typically require assay volumes that range from 50 to 500 μl. In addition to the plates, many instruments, materials, pipettors, robotics, plate washers, and plate readers are commercially available to fit the 96-well format.

[0155] Alternatively, “free format assays,” or assays that have no physical barrier between samples, can be used. For example, an assay using pigment cells (melanocytes) in a simple homogeneous assay for combinatorial peptide libraries is described by Jayawickreme et al., Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. U.S.A. 19, 1614-18 (1994). The cells are placed under agarose in petri dishes, then beads that carry combinatorial compounds are placed on the surface of the agarose. The combinatorial compounds are partially released the compounds from the beads. Active compounds can be visualized as dark pigment areas because, as the compounds diffuse locally into the gel matrix, the active compounds cause the cells to change colors.

[0156] Another example of a free format assay is described by Chelsky, “Strategies for Screening Combinatorial Libraries: Novel and Traditional Approaches,” reported at the First Annual Conference of The Society for Biomolecular Screening in Philadelphia, Pa. (Nov. 7-10, 1995). Chelsky placed a simple homogenous enzyme assay for carbonic anhydrase inside an agarose gel such that the enzyme in the gel would cause a color change throughout the gel. Thereafter, beads carrying combinatorial compounds via a photolinker were placed inside the gel and the compounds were partially released by UV-light. Compounds that inhibited the enzyme were observed as local zones of inhibition having less color change.

[0157] Yet another example is described by Salmon et al., Molecular Diversity 2, 57-63 (1996). In this example, combinatorial libraries were screened for compounds that had cytotoxic effects on cancer cells growing in agar.

[0158] Another high throughput screening method is described in Beutel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,813. In this method, test samples are placed in a porous matrix. One or more assay components are then placed within, on top of, or at the bottom of a matrix such as a gel, a plastic sheet, a filter, or other form of easily manipulated solid support. When samples are introduced to the porous matrix they diffuse sufficiently slowly, such that the assays can be performed without the test samples running together.

[0159] Binding Assays

[0160] For binding assays, the test compound is preferably a small molecule which binds to and occupies, for example, the ATP/GTP binding site of the enzyme or the active site of the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, such that normal biological activity is prevented. Examples of such small molecules include, but are not limited to, small peptides or peptide-like molecules.

[0161] In binding assays, either the test compound or the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can comprise a detectable label, such as a fluorescent, radioisotopic, chemiluminescent, or enzymatic label, such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase. Detection of a test compound which is bound to the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can then be accomplished, for example, by direct counting of radioemmission, by scintillation counting, or by determining conversion of an appropriate substrate to a detectable product.

[0162] Alternatively, binding of a test compound to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be determined without labeling either of the interactants. For example, a microphysiometer can be used to detect binding of a test compound with a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. A microphysiometer (e.g., Cytosensor™) is an analytical instrument that measures the rate at which a cell acidifies its environment using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Changes in this acidification rate can be used as an indicator of the interaction between a test compound and a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide (McConnell et al., Science 257, 1906-1912, 1992).

[0163] Determining the ability of a test compound to bind to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide also can be accomplished using a technology such as real-time Bimolecular Interaction Analysis (BIA) (Sjolander & Urbaniczky, Anal. Chem. 63, 2338-2345, 1991, and Szabo et al., Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 5, 699-705, 1995). BIA is a technology for studying biospecific interactions in real time, without labeling any of the interactants (e.g., BIAcore™). Changes in the optical phenomenon surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be used as an indication of real-time reactions between biological molecules.

[0164] In yet another aspect of the invention, a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be used as a “bait protein” in a two-hybrid assay or three-hybrid assay (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,317; Zervos et al., Cell 72, 223-232, 1993; Madura et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12046-12054, 1993; Bartel et al., BioTechniques 14, 920-924, 1993; Iwabuchi et al., Oncogene 8, 1693-1696, 1993; and Brent W094/10300), to identify other proteins which bind to or interact with the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide and modulate its activity.

[0165] The two-hybrid system is based on the modular nature of most transcription factors, which consist of separable DNA-binding and activation domains. Briefly, the assay utilizes two different DNA constructs. For example, in one construct, polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be fused to a polynucleotide encoding the DNA binding domain of a known transcription factor (e.g., GAL-4). In the other construct a DNA sequence that encodes an unidentified protein (“prey” or “sample”) can be fused to a polynucleotide that codes for the activation domain of the known transcription factor. If the “bait” and the “prey” proteins are able to interact in vivo to form an protein-dependent complex, the DNA-binding and activation domains of the transcription factor are brought into close proximity. This proximity allows transcription of a reporter gene (e.g., LacZ), which is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory site responsive to the transcription factor. Expression of the reporter gene can be detected, and cell colonies containing the functional transcription factor can be isolated and used to obtain the DNA sequence encoding the protein which interacts with the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.

[0166] It may be desirable to immobilize either the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or the test compound to facilitate separation of bound from unbound forms of one or both of the interactants, as well as to accommodate automation of the assay. Thus, either the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or the test compound can be bound to a solid support. Suitable solid supports include, but are not limited to, glass or plastic slides, tissue culture plates, microtiter wells, tubes, silicon chips, or particles such as beads (including, but not limited to, latex, polystyrene, or glass beads). Any method known in the art can be used to attach the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or test compound to a solid support, including use of covalent and non-covalent linkages, passive absorption, or pairs of binding moieties attached respectively to the polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or test compound and the solid support. Test compounds are preferably bound to the solid support in an array, so that the location of individual test compounds can be tracked. Binding of a test compound to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide (or polynucleotide) can be accomplished in any vessel suitable for containing the reactants. Examples of such vessels include microtiter plates, test tubes, and microcentrifuge tubes.

[0167] In one embodiment, the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is a fusion protein comprising a domain that allows the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide to be bound to a solid support. For example, glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins can be adsorbed onto glutathione sepharose beads (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, Mo.) or glutathione derivatized microtiter plates, which are then combined with the test compound or the test compound and the non-adsorbed transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide; the mixture is then incubated under conditions conducive to complex formation (e.g., at physiological conditions for salt and pH). Following incubation, the beads or microtiter plate wells are washed to remove any unbound components. Binding of the interactants can be determined either directly or indirectly, as described above. Alternatively, the complexes can be dissociated from the solid support before binding is determined.

[0168] Other techniques for immobilizing proteins or polynucleotides on a solid support also can be used in the screening assays of the invention. For example, either a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or a test compound can be immobilized utilizing conjugation of biotin and streptavidin. Biotinylated transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides (or polynucleotides) or test compounds can be prepared from biotin-NHS(N-hydroxysuccinimide) using techniques well known in the art (e.g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, Ill.) and immobilized in the wells of streptavidin-coated 96 well plates (Pierce Chemical). Alternatively, antibodies which specifically bind to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, polynucleotide, or a test compound, but which do not interfere with a desired binding site, such as the ATP/GTP binding site or the active site of the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, can be derivatized to the wells of the plate. Unbound target or protein can be trapped in the wells by antibody conjugation.

[0169] Methods for detecting such complexes, in addition to those described above for the GST-immobilized complexes, include immunodetection of complexes using antibodies which specifically bind to the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or test compound, enzyme-linked assays which rely on detecting an activity of the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, and SDS gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions.

[0170] Screening for test compounds which bind to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or polynucleotide also can be carried out in an intact cell. Any cell which comprises a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or polynucleotide can be used in a cell-based assay system. A transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be naturally occurring in the cell or can be introduced using techniques such as those described above. Binding of the test compound to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or polynucleotide is determined as described above.

[0171] Enzyme Assays

[0172] Test compounds can be tested for the ability to increase or decrease the transketolase or transketolase-like activity of a human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide. Transketolase activity can be measured, for example, as described in Pietrzak & Baczyk, Miner. Electrolyte Metab. 23, 277-82 (1997) or Jamieson et al., Clin. Nutr. 18, 87-91 (1999).

[0173] Enzyme assays can be carried out after contacting either a purified transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, a cell membrane preparation, or an intact cell with a test compound. A test compound which decreases a transketolase activity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing transketolase-like enzyme activity. A test compound which increases a transketolase activity of a human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing human transketolase-like enzyme activity.

[0174] Gene Expression

[0175] In another embodiment, test compounds which increase or decrease transketolase-like enzyme gene expression are identified. A transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide is contacted with a test compound, and the expression of an RNA or polypeptide product of the transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide is determined. The level of expression of appropriate mRNA or polypeptide in the presence of the test compound is compared to the level of expression of mRNA or polypeptide in the absence of the test compound. The test compound can then be identified as a modulator of expression based on this comparison. For example, when expression of mRNA or polypeptide is greater in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as a stimulator or enhancer of the mRNA or polypeptide expression. Alternatively, when expression of the mRNA or polypeptide is less in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of the mRNA or polypeptide expression.

[0176] The level of transketolase-like enzyme mRNA or polypeptide expression in the cells can be determined by methods well known in the art for detecting mRNA or polypeptide. Either qualitative or quantitative methods can be used. The presence of polypeptide products of a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be determined, for example, using a variety of techniques known in the art, including immunochemical methods such as radioimmunoassay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Alternatively, polypeptide synthesis can be determined in vivo, in a cell culture, or in an in vitro translation system by detecting incorporation of labeled amino acids into a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.

[0177] Such screening can be carried out either in a cell-free assay system or in an intact cell. Any cell which expresses a transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be used in a cell-based assay system. The transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide can be naturally occurring in the cell or can be introduced using techniques such as those described above. Either a primary culture or an established cell line, such as CHO or human embryonic kidney 293 cells, can be used.

[0178] Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0179] The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions which can be administered to a patient to achieve a therapeutic effect. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can comprise, for example, a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, transketolase-like enzyme polynucleotide, ribozymes or antisense oligonucleotides, antibodies which specifically bind to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, or mimetics, agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide activity. The compositions can be administered alone or in combination with at least one other agent, such as stabilizing compound, which can be administered in any sterile, biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, including, but not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, and water. The compositions can be administered to a patient alone, or in combination with other agents, drugs or hormones.

[0180] In addition to the active ingredients, these pharmaceutical compositions can contain suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, parenteral, topical, sublingual, or rectal means. Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient.

[0181] Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained through combination of active compounds with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants; cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, or sodium carboxymethylcellulose; gums including arabic and tragacanth; and proteins such as gelatin and collagen. If desired, disintegrating or solubilizing agents can be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid, or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate.

[0182] Dragee cores can be used in conjunction with suitable coatings, such as concentrated sugar solutions, which also can contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments can be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for product identification or to characterize the quantity of active compound, i.e., dosage.

[0183] Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a coating, such as glycerol or sorbitol. Push-fit capsules can contain active ingredients mixed with a filler or binders, such as lactose or starches, lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds can be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid, or liquid polyethylene glycol with or without stabilizers.

[0184] Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for parenteral administration can be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks' solution, Ringer's solution, or physiologically buffered saline. Aqueous injection suspensions can contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds can be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Non-lipid polycationic amino polymers also can be used for delivery. Optionally, the suspension also can contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. For topical or nasal administration, penetrants appropriate to the particular barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

[0185] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be manufactured in a manner that is known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes. The pharmaceutical composition can be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free base forms. In other cases, the preferred preparation can be a lyophilized powder which can contain any or all of the following: 1-50 mM histidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, and 2-7% mannitol, at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5, that is combined with buffer prior to use.

[0186] Further details on techniques for formulation and administration can be found in the latest edition of REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (Maack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.). After pharmaceutical compositions have been prepared, they can be placed in an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition. Such labeling would include amount, frequency, and method of administration.

[0187] Therapeutic Indications and Methods

[0188] Transketolase activity is increased in tumors (Boros et al., Anticancer Res. 18, 595-602, 1998). Thus, inhibition of human transketolase-like enzyme is expected to be useful for treating cancer. Cancer is a disease fundamentally caused by oncogenic cellular transformation. There are several hallmarks of transformed cells that distinguish them from their normal counterparts and underlie the pathophysiology of cancer. These include uncontrolled cellular proliferation, unresponsiveness to normal death-inducing signals (immortalization), increased cellular motility and invasiveness, increased ability to recruit blood supply through induction of new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), genetic instability, and dysregulated gene expression. Various combinations of these aberrant physiologies, along with the acquisition of drug-resistance frequently lead to an intractable disease state in which organ failure and patient death ultimately ensue.

[0189] Most standard cancer therapies target cellular proliferation and rely on the differential proliferative capacities between transformed and normal cells for their efficacy. This approach is hindered by the facts that several important normal cell types are also highly proliferative and that cancer cells frequently become resistant to these agents. Thus, the therapeutic indices for traditional anti-cancer therapies rarely exceed 2.0.

[0190] The advent of genomics-driven molecular target identification has opened up the possibility of identifying new cancer-specific targets for therapeutic intervention that will provide safer, more effective treatments for cancer patients. Thus, newly discovered tumor-associated genes and their products can be tested for their role(s) in disease and used as tools to discover and develop innovative therapies. Genes playing important roles in any of the physiological processes outlined above can be characterized as cancer targets.

[0191] Genes or gene fragments identified through genomics can readily be expressed in one or more heterologous expression systems to produce functional recombinant proteins. These proteins are characterized in vitro for their biochemical properties and then used as tools in high-throughput molecular screening programs to identify chemical modulators of their biochemical activities. Agonists and/or antagonists of target protein activity can be identified in this manner and subsequently tested in cellular and in vivo disease models for anti-cancer activity. Optimization of lead compounds with iterative testing in biological models and detailed pharmacokinetic and toxicological analyses form the basis for drug development and subsequent testing in humans.

[0192] Transketolase activity is decreased, for example, in dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease and in anemic patients (Pietrzak & Baczyk, Miner. Electrolyte Metab. 23, 277-82, 1997; Descombes et al., Clin. Nephrol. 35, 171-75, 1991). Transketolase activity also is decreased in uremic patients with sensory peripheral neuropathies. Thus, increased activity or increased levels of human transketolase-like enzyme is expected to be useful for treating such disorders.

[0193] This invention further pertains to the use of novel agents identified by the screening assays described above. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention to use a test compound identified as described herein in an appropriate animal model. For example, an agent identified as described herein (e.g., a modulating agent, an antisense nucleic acid molecule, a specific antibody, ribozyme, or a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide binding molecule) can be used in an animal model to determine the efficacy, toxicity, or side effects of treatment with such an agent. Alternatively, an agent identified as described herein can be used in an animal model to determine the mechanism of action of such an agent. Furthermore, this invention pertains to uses of novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays for treatments as described herein.

[0194] A reagent which affects transketolase-like enzyme activity can be administered to a human cell, either in vitro or in vivo, to reduce transketolase-like enzyme activity. The reagent preferably binds to an expression product of a human transketolase-like enzyme gene. If the expression product is a protein, the reagent is preferably an antibody. For treatment of human cells ex vivo, an antibody can be added to a preparation of stem cells which have been removed from the body. The cells can then be replaced in the same or another human body, with or without clonal propagation, as is known in the art.

[0195] In one embodiment, the reagent is delivered using a liposome. Preferably, the liposome is stable in the animal into which it has been administered for at least about 30 minutes, more preferably for at least about 1 hour, and even more preferably for at least about 24 hours. A liposome comprises a lipid composition that is capable of targeting a reagent, particularly a polynucleotide, to a particular site in an animal, such as a human. Preferably, the lipid composition of the liposome is capable of targeting to a specific organ of an animal, such as the lung, liver, spleen, heart brain, lymph nodes, and skin.

[0196] A liposome useful in the present invention comprises a lipid composition that is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane of the targeted cell to deliver its contents to the cell. Preferably, the transfection efficiency of a liposome is about 0.5 μg of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells, more preferably about 1.0 μg of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells, and even more preferably about 2.0 μg of DNA per 16 nmol of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells. Preferably, a liposome is between about 100 and 500 nm, more preferably between about 150 and 450 nm, and even more preferably between about 200 and 400 nm in diameter.

[0197] Suitable liposomes for use in the present invention include those liposomes standardly used in, for example, gene delivery methods known to those of skill in the art. More preferred liposomes include liposomes having a polycationic lipid composition and/or liposomes having a cholesterol backbone conjugated to polyethylene glycol. Optionally, a liposome comprises a compound capable of targeting the liposome to a particular cell type, such as a cell-specific ligand exposed on the outer surface of the liposome.

[0198] Complexing a liposome with a reagent such as an antisense oligonucleotide or ribozyme can be achieved using methods which are standard in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,151). Preferably, from about 0.1 μg to about 10 μg of polynucleotide is combined with about 8 nmol of liposomes, more preferably from about 0.5 μg to about 5 μg of polynucleotides are combined with about 8 nmol liposomes, and even more preferably about 1.0 μg of polynucleotides is combined with about 8 nmol liposomes.

[0199] In another embodiment, antibodies can be delivered to specific tissues in vivo using receptor-mediated targeted delivery. Receptor-mediated DNA delivery techniques are taught in, for example, Findeis et al. Trends in Biotechnol. 11, 202-05 (1993); Chiou et al., GENE THERAPEUTICS: METHODS AND APPLICATIONS OF DIRECT GENE TRANSFER (J. A. Wolff, ed.) (1994); Wu & Wu, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 621-24 (1988); Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269, 542-46 (1994); Zenke et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 3655-59 (1990); Wu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266, 338-42 (1991).

[0200] Determination of a Therapeutically Effective Dose

[0201] The determination of a therapeutically effective dose is well within the capability of those skilled in the art. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient which increases or decreases transketolase-like enzyme activity relative to the transketolase-like enzyme activity which occurs in the absence of the therapeutically effective dose.

[0202] For any compound, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays or in animal models, usually mice, rabbits, dogs, or pigs. The animal model also can be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans.

[0203] Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, e.g., ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) and LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population), can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals. The dose ratio of toxic to therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, and it can be expressed as the ratio, LD₅₀/ED₅₀.

[0204] Pharmaceutical compositions which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies is used in formulating a range of dosage for human use. The dosage contained in such compositions is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed, sensitivity of the patient, and the route of administration.

[0205] The exact dosage will be determined by the practitioner, in light of factors related to the subject that requires treatment. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active ingredient or to maintain the desired effect. Factors which can be taken into account include the severity of the disease state, general health of the subject, age, weight, and gender of the subject, diet, time and frequency of administration, drug combination(s), reaction sensitivities, and tolerance/response to therapy. Long-acting pharmaceutical compositions can be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or once every two weeks depending on the half-life and clearance rate of the particular formulation.

[0206] Normal dosage amounts can vary from 0.1 to 100,000 micrograms, up to a total dose of about 1 g, depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature and generally available to practitioners in the art. Those skilled in the art will employ different formulations for nucleotides than for proteins or their inhibitors. Similarly, delivery of polynucleotides or polypeptides will be specific to particular cells, conditions, locations, etc.

[0207] If the reagent is a single-chain antibody, polynucleotides encoding the antibody can be constructed and introduced into a cell either ex vivo or in vivo using well-established techniques including, but not limited to, transferrin-polycation-mediated DNA transfer, transfection with naked or encapsulated nucleic acids, liposome-mediated cellular fusion, intracellular transportation of DNA-coated latex beads, protoplast fusion, viral infection, electroporation, “gene gun,” and DEAE- or calcium phosphate-mediated transfection.

[0208] Effective in vivo dosages of an antibody are in the range of about 5 μg to about 50 μg/kg, about 50 μg to about 5 mg/kg, about 100 μg to about 500 μg/kg of patient body weight, and about 200 to about 250 μg/kg of patient body weight. For administration of polynucleotides encoding single-chain antibodies, effective in vivo dosages are in the range of about 100 ng to about 200 ng, 500 ng to about 50 mg, about 1 μg to about 2 mg, about 5 μg to about 500 μg, and about 20 μg to about 100 μg of DNA.

[0209] If the expression product is mRNA, the reagent is preferably an antisense oligonucleotide or a ribozyme. Polynucleotides which express antisense oligonucleotides or ribozymes can be introduced into cells by a variety of methods, as described above.

[0210] Preferably, a reagent reduces expression of a transketolase-like enzyme gene or the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% relative to the absence of the reagent. The effectiveness of the mechanism chosen to decrease the level of expression of a transketolase-like enzyme gene or the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide can be assessed using methods well known in the art, such as hybridization of nucleotide probes to transketolase-like enzyme-specific mRNA, quantitative RT-PCR, immunologic detection of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, or measurement of transketolase-like enzyme activity.

[0211] In any of the embodiments described above, any of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered in combination with other appropriate therapeutic agents. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical principles. The combination of therapeutic agents can act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention of the various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.

[0212] Any of the therapeutic methods described above can be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, monkeys, and most preferably, humans.

[0213] Diagnostic Methods

[0214] Human transketolase-like enzyme also can be used in diagnostic assays for detecting diseases and abnormalities or susceptibility to diseases and abnormalities related to the presence of mutations in the nucleic acid sequences which encode the enzyme. For example, differences can be determined between the cDNA or genomic sequence encoding transketolase-like enzyme in individuals afflicted with a disease and in normal individuals If a mutation is observed in some or all of the afflicted individuals but not in normal individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent of the disease.

[0215] Sequence differences between a reference gene and a gene having mutations can be revealed by the direct DNA sequencing method. In addition, cloned DNA segments can be employed as probes to detect specific DNA segments. The sensitivity of this method is greatly enhanced when combined with PCR. For example, a sequencing primer can be used with a double-stranded PCR product or a single-stranded template molecule generated by a modified PCR. The sequence determination is performed by conventional procedures using radiolabeled nucleotides or by automatic sequencing procedures using fluorescent tags.

[0216] Genetic testing based on DNA sequence differences can be carried out by detection of alteration in electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments in gels with or without denaturing agents. Small sequence deletions and insertions can be visualized, for example, by high resolution gel electrophoresis. DNA fragments of different sequences can be distinguished on denaturing formamide gradient gels in which the mobilities of different DNA fragments are retarded in the gel at different positions according to their specific melting or partial melting temperatures (see, e.g., Myers et al., Science 230, 1242, 1985). Sequence changes at specific locations can also be revealed by nuclease protection assays, such as RNase and S 1 protection or the chemical cleavage method (e.g., Cotton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 4397-4401, 1985). Thus, the detection of a specific DNA sequence can be performed by methods such as hybridization, RNase protection, chemical cleavage, direct DNA sequencing or the use of restriction enzymes and Southern blotting of genomic DNA. In addition to direct methods such as gel-electrophoresis and DNA sequencing, mutations can also be detected by in situ analysis.

[0217] Altered levels of a transketolase-like enzyme also can be detected in various tissues. Assays used to detect levels of the receptor polypeptides in a body sample, such as blood or a tissue biopsy, derived from a host are well known to those of skill in the art and include radioimmunoassays, competitive binding assays, Western blot analysis, and ELISA assays.

[0218] All patents and patent applications cited in this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. A more complete understanding can be obtained by reference to the following specific examples which are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Detection of Transketolase-like Enzyme Activity

[0219] The polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1 is inserted into the expression vector pCEV4 and the expression vector pCEV4-transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide obtained is transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells. The cells are cultivated under conventional conditions. The cells are washed three times with a cold isotonic buffer and lysed by resuspending and vortexing in a lysis buffer containing 20 mmol/L Tris-C1 (pH 7.5), 1 mmol/L dithiothreitol, 1 mmol/L potassium EDTA, 0.2 g/L Triton X-100, 0.2 g/L sodium deoxycholate and 0.2 mmol/L phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The protein concentration of the clarified supernatant is determined using the Bio-Rad Protein Assay (Bio-Rad, Hercules Calif.).

[0220] Transketolase activity is measured by using a conventional enzyme-linked method under conditions in which coupling enzymes are not limiting. Reactions are initiated by the addition of 0.36 mg total protein/mL of reaction mix to an otherwise complete reaction mix of 100 mmol/L Tris-Cl (pH 7.5), 10 mmol/L ribose 5-phosphate, 2 mmol/L xylulose 5 phosphate, 1.2 mmol /L MgCl2, 0.1 mmol/L NADH, 2000 U/L glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and triose phosphate isomerase. Reactions were conducted at 37° C. The oxidation of NADH, which is directly proportional to transketolase activity, was followed by monitoring the decrease in absorbance at 340 nm using a Beckman DC-70 sspectrophotometer (Beckman, Palo Alto, Calif.). Activity is expressed as nmol/(min mg protein). It is shown that the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 has transketolase-like enzyme activity.

EXAMPLE 2 Expression of Recombinant Human Transketolase-like Enzyme

[0221] To produce large quantities of human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides in yeast, the Pichia pastoris expression vector pPICZB (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) is used. The human transketolase-like enzyme encoding DNA sequence is the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:6. Before insertion into vector pPICZB, the DNA sequence is modified by well known methods in such a way that it contains at its 5′-end an initiation codon and at its 3′-end an enterokinase cleavage site, a His6 reporter tag, and a termination codon. Recognition sequences for restriction endonucleases are added at both termini. After digestion of the multiple cloning site of pPICZ B with the corresponding restriction enzymes, the modified human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide-encoding DNA sequence is ligated into pPICZB. This expression vector is designed for inducible expression in Pichia pastoris, and expression is driven by a yeast promoter. The resulting pPICZ/md-His6 vector is used to transform the yeast. The yeast is cultivated under usual conditions in shake flasks, and the recombinantly produced protein is isolated from the culture by affinity chromatography (Ni-NTA-Resin) in the presence of 8 M urea. The bound polypeptide is eluted with buffer, pH 3.5, and neutralized. Separation of the human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide from the His6 reporter tag is accomplished by site-specific proteolysis using enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) according to manufacturer s instructions. Purified human transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is obtained.

EXAMPLE 3 Identification of Test Compounds That Bind to Transketolase-like Enzyme Polypeptides

[0222] Purified transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides comprising a glutathione-S-transferase protein and absorbed onto glutathione-derivatized wells of 96-well microtiter plates are contacted with test compounds from a small molecule library at pH 7.0 in a physiological buffer solution. Transketolase-like enzyme polypeptides comprise the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2. The test compounds comprise a fluorescent tag. The samples are incubated for 5 minutes to one hour. Control samples are incubated in the absence of a test compound.

[0223] The buffer solution containing the test compounds is washed from the wells. Binding of a test compound to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide is detected by fluorescence measurements of the contents of the wells. A test compound which increases the fluorescence in a well by at least 15% relative to fluorescence of a well in which a test compound is not incubated is identified as a compound which binds to a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.

EXAMPLE 4 Identification of a Test Compound Which Decreases Transketolase-like Enzyme Gene Expression

[0224] A test compound is administered to a culture of human cells transfected with a transketolase-like enzyme expression construct and incubated at 37° C. for 10 to 45 minutes. A culture of the same type of cells which have not been transfected is incubated for the same time without the test compound to provide a negative control.

[0225] RNA is isolated from the two cultures as described in Chirgwin et al., Biochem. 18, 5294-99, 1979). Northern blots are prepared using 20 to 30 μg total RNA and hybridized with a ³²P-labeled transketolase-like enzyme-specific probe at 65° C. in Express-hyb (CLONTECH). The probe comprises at least 11 contiguous nucleotides selected from the complement of SEQ ID NO:6. A test compound which decreases the transketolase-like enzyme-specific signal relative to the signal obtained in the absence of the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of transketolase-like enzyme gene expression.

EXAMPLE 5 Treatment of Breast Cancer With a Reagent Which Specifically Binds to a Transketolase-like Enzyme Gene Product

[0226] Synthesis of antisense transketolase-like enzyme oligonucleotides comprising at least 11 contiguous nucleotides selected from the complement of SEQ ID NO:6 is performed on a Pharmacia Gene Assembler series synthesizer using the phosphoramidite procedure (Uhlmann et al., Chem. Rev. 90, 534-83, 1990). Following assembly and deprotection, oligonucleotides are ethanol-precipitated twice, dried, and suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at the desired concentration. Purity of these oligonucleotides is tested by capillary gel electrophoreses and ion exchange HPLC. Endotoxin levels in the oligonucleotide preparation are determined using the Limulus Amebocyte Assay (Bang, Biol. Bull. (Woods Hole, Mass.) 105, 361-362, 1953).

[0227] The antisense oligonucleotides in an aqueous solution are administered to a patient with breast cancer by direct injection into the breast tumor. The size of the patient's breast tumor is decreased.

1 6 1 3540 DNA Human 1 tttaacgtga agttaaggta agaattattg ctcaagaaac caagaggttt aacatcgcaa 60 tatgggaagg tatgatatat tatcattgtg ttttttttaa ttgttgtttt attgatgaca 120 aaccataacc ttggcctgct agaagagttc aatggcacaa atttagtttt ttttgtttta 180 gacggagtct cgctctgtct cccaggctgg agtgcagtgg cacaatctgg gctcactgca 240 agctccacct cccaggttca cgccattctc ctgcctcagc ctcccgagta gctgggacta 300 caggtgccca tcaccacgcc cagctaattt ttttgtattt ttagtagaca cggggtttca 360 ccgtgttagc caggatggtc tcgaactcct gaccttgtga tccgcctgcc tcggcctccc 420 aaagtgctgg gattacaggt gtgagccaca gcacccggcc cacaaattta gttttttaaa 480 gtaagtaact ttgtcttaaa aatgatttgt agtaatagtc attaaaagat aaactgaggc 540 acattaaaat attaaagcat ttatttgacc attcagtgat tcatgaatct ggtagctcct 600 gataaaggag ccaaggagaa ggcttttata gggtgaattt ggaagcaaag gaaagatatt 660 tgattggtta aagtggagta ctagacttat ttgggtcatc ccagtggaaa gtccccagtt 720 agaagttagc tggcagtttc tgattgatta agcttaaatt tcctttttat catttacact 780 gatttgggtt tcctttcctt aggtaggaac tcatggagct gaagctacct cagcctactg 840 gccttctaat tatttcaaca cagaaatagt actttacggc acactggagt tgcaattcta 900 ttctgcaatt gggtggtttc agatttgttc ttcctataaa ttttggtcaa attagtcatt 960 gcatttcttt ctataagtct gagattcaga tatttggttg ctctgagaaa gtctctgttg 1020 agatagcatt gccatactgg tcagattgaa agtgactttg tatcctttct attaatgttc 1080 tgatatgaaa gagtgatgac tcggatatag tgttaatgca ttaaaaaagc acagcctgac 1140 aaatcgcttc ctataataca cagaaaaatg tctagtcttg aatttataac acagggaaag 1200 gtaaaaaatt taattatgct tcctaatgtt gaacatgcac gtgacaaagt aaatactaaa 1260 aatccattca gctgggcgtg gacagggaga gggaacggtg cacatcagag ggtgcaggct 1320 actccaacgt ttccgtttcc tcagtctcgc gggaagctcc gttgtgggcg ccccggctgg 1380 tggctgagct caggccttca ggcagagggg aggcgagggc ggggcggtca cgtgagagca 1440 ctgccgcggt gggttgtggg ggtgctgcgg cgccgtttgc tttgccaaac cgacaaaaga 1500 gagatgatgg ccaacgacgc caagcccgac gtgaagaccg tgcaggtgct gcgggacaca 1560 gccaaccgcc tgcggatcca ttccatcagg gccacgtgtg cctctggttc tggccagctc 1620 acgtcgtgct gcagtgcagc ggaggtcgtg tctgtcctct tcttccacac gatgaagtat 1680 aaacagacag acccagaaca cccggacaac gaccggttca tcctctccag gggacatgct 1740 gctcctatcc tctatgctgc ttgggtggag gtgggtgaca tcagtgaatc tgacttgctg 1800 aacctgagga aacttcacag cgacttggag agacacccta ccccccgatt gccgtttgtt 1860 gacgtggcaa cagggtccct aggtcaggga ttaggtactg catgtggaat ggcttatact 1920 ggcaagtacc ttgacaaggc cagctaccgg gtgttctgcc ttatgggaga tggcgaatcc 1980 tcagaaggct ctgtgtggga ggcttttgct tttgcctccc actacaactt ggacaatctc 2040 gtggcggtct tcgacgtgaa ccgcttggga caaagtggcc ctgcacccct tgagcatggc 2100 gcagacatct accagaattg ctgtgaagcc tttggatgga atacttactt agtggatggc 2160 catgatgtgg aggccttgtg ccaagcattt tggcaagcaa gtcaagtgaa gaacaagcct 2220 actgctatag ttgccaagac cttcaaaggt cggggtattc caaatattga ggatgcagaa 2280 aattggcatg gaaagccagt gccaaaagaa agagcagatg caattgtcaa attaattgag 2340 agtcagatac agaccaatga gaatctcata ccaaaatcgc ctgtggaaga ctcacctcaa 2400 ataagcatca cagatataaa aatgacctcc ccacctgctt acaaagttgg tgacaagata 2460 gctactcaga aaacatatgg tttggctctg gctaaactgg gccgtgcaaa tgaaagagtt 2520 attgttctga gtggtgacac gatgaactcc accttttctg agatattcag gaaagaacac 2580 cctgagcgtt tcatagagtg tattattgct gaacaaaaca tggtaagtgt ggcactaggc 2640 tgtgctacac gtggtcgaac cattgctttt gctggtgctt ttgctgcctt ttttactaga 2700 gcattcgatc agctccgaat gggagccatt tctcaagcca atatcaacct tattggttcc 2760 cactgtgggg tatccactgg agaagatgga gtctcccaga tggccctgga ggatctagcc 2820 atgttccgaa gcattcccaa ttgtactgtt ttctatccaa gtgatgccat ctcgacagag 2880 catgctattt atctagccgc caataccaag ggaatgtgct tcattcgaac cagccaacca 2940 gaaactgcag ttatttatac cccacaagaa aattttgaga ttggccaggc caaggtggtc 3000 cgccacggtg tcaatgataa agtcacagta attggagctg gagttactct ccatgaagcc 3060 ttagaagctg ctgaccatct ttctcaacaa ggtatttctg tccgtgtcat cgacccattt 3120 accattaaac ccctggatgc cgccaccatc atctccagtg caaaagccac aggcggccga 3180 gttatcacag tggaggatca ctacagggaa ggtggcattg gagaagctgt ttgtgcagct 3240 gtctccaggg agcctgatat ccttgttcat caactggcag tgtcaggagt gcctcaacgt 3300 gggaaaacta gtgaattgct ggatatgttt ggaatcagta ccagacacat tatagcagcc 3360 gtaacactta ctttaatgaa gtaaactagg cttatttcta aaaagtcaag tctattggct 3420 ttggcccaaa agcactggta tctttgtatt aaattcatgt ttattgtcac aaaaccatta 3480 tttataccta tacagttgta ctgtttcttt taaagcaaag ccatttaaca tctttcttca 3540 2 625 PRT Human 2 Met Ala Asn Asp Ala Lys Pro Asp Val Lys Thr Val Gln Val Leu Arg 1 5 10 15 Asp Thr Ala Asn Arg Leu Arg Ile His Ser Ile Arg Ala Thr Cys Ala 20 25 30 Ser Gly Ser Gly Gln Leu Thr Ser Cys Cys Ser Ala Ala Glu Val Val 35 40 45 Ser Val Leu Phe Phe His Thr Met Lys Tyr Lys Gln Thr Asp Pro Glu 50 55 60 His Pro Asp Asn Asp Arg Phe Ile Leu Ser Arg Gly His Ala Ala Pro 65 70 75 80 Ile Leu Tyr Ala Ala Trp Val Glu Val Gly Asp Ile Ser Glu Ser Asp 85 90 95 Leu Leu Asn Leu Arg Lys Leu His Ser Asp Leu Glu Arg His Pro Thr 100 105 110 Pro Arg Leu Pro Phe Val Asp Val Ala Thr Gly Ser Leu Gly Gln Gly 115 120 125 Leu Gly Thr Ala Cys Gly Met Ala Tyr Thr Gly Lys Tyr Leu Asp Lys 130 135 140 Ala Ser Tyr Arg Val Phe Cys Leu Met Gly Asp Gly Glu Ser Ser Glu 145 150 155 160 Gly Ser Val Trp Glu Ala Phe Ala Phe Ala Ser His Tyr Asn Leu Asp 165 170 175 Asn Leu Val Ala Val Phe Asp Val Asn Arg Leu Gly Gln Ser Gly Pro 180 185 190 Ala Pro Leu Glu His Gly Ala Asp Ile Tyr Gln Asn Cys Cys Glu Ala 195 200 205 Phe Gly Trp Asn Thr Tyr Leu Val Asp Gly His Asp Val Glu Ala Leu 210 215 220 Cys Gln Ala Phe Trp Gln Ala Ser Gln Val Lys Asn Lys Pro Thr Ala 225 230 235 240 Ile Val Ala Lys Thr Phe Lys Gly Arg Gly Ile Pro Asn Ile Glu Asp 245 250 255 Ala Glu Asn Trp His Gly Lys Pro Val Pro Lys Glu Arg Ala Asp Ala 260 265 270 Ile Val Lys Leu Ile Glu Ser Gln Ile Gln Thr Asn Glu Asn Leu Ile 275 280 285 Pro Lys Ser Pro Val Glu Asp Ser Pro Gln Ile Ser Ile Thr Asp Ile 290 295 300 Lys Met Thr Ser Pro Pro Ala Tyr Lys Val Gly Asp Lys Ile Ala Thr 305 310 315 320 Gln Lys Thr Tyr Gly Leu Ala Leu Ala Lys Leu Gly Arg Ala Asn Glu 325 330 335 Arg Val Ile Val Leu Ser Gly Asp Thr Met Asn Ser Thr Phe Ser Glu 340 345 350 Ile Phe Arg Lys Glu His Pro Glu Arg Phe Ile Glu Cys Ile Ile Ala 355 360 365 Glu Gln Asn Met Val Ser Val Ala Leu Gly Cys Ala Thr Arg Gly Arg 370 375 380 Thr Ile Ala Phe Ala Gly Ala Phe Ala Ala Phe Phe Thr Arg Ala Phe 385 390 395 400 Asp Gln Leu Arg Met Gly Ala Ile Ser Gln Ala Asn Ile Asn Leu Ile 405 410 415 Gly Ser His Cys Gly Val Ser Thr Gly Glu Asp Gly Val Ser Gln Met 420 425 430 Ala Leu Glu Asp Leu Ala Met Phe Arg Ser Ile Pro Asn Cys Thr Val 435 440 445 Phe Tyr Pro Ser Asp Ala Ile Ser Thr Glu His Ala Ile Tyr Leu Ala 450 455 460 Ala Asn Thr Lys Gly Met Cys Phe Ile Arg Thr Ser Gln Pro Glu Thr 465 470 475 480 Ala Val Ile Tyr Thr Pro Gln Glu Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Gln Ala Lys 485 490 495 Val Val Arg His Gly Val Asn Asp Lys Val Thr Val Ile Gly Ala Gly 500 505 510 Val Thr Leu His Glu Ala Leu Glu Ala Ala Asp His Leu Ser Gln Gln 515 520 525 Gly Ile Ser Val Arg Val Ile Asp Pro Phe Thr Ile Lys Pro Leu Asp 530 535 540 Ala Ala Thr Ile Ile Ser Ser Ala Lys Ala Thr Gly Gly Arg Val Ile 545 550 555 560 Thr Val Glu Asp His Tyr Arg Glu Gly Gly Ile Gly Glu Ala Val Cys 565 570 575 Ala Ala Val Ser Arg Glu Pro Asp Ile Leu Val His Gln Leu Ala Val 580 585 590 Ser Gly Val Pro Gln Arg Gly Lys Thr Ser Glu Leu Leu Asp Met Phe 595 600 605 Gly Ile Ser Thr Arg His Ile Ile Ala Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Leu Met 610 615 620 Lys 625 3 623 PRT Mouse 3 Met Glu Gly Tyr His Lys Pro Asp Gln Gln Lys Leu Gln Ala Leu Lys 1 5 10 15 Asp Thr Ala Asn Arg Leu Arg Ile Ser Ser Ile Gln Ala Thr Thr Ala 20 25 30 Ala Gly Ser Gly His Pro Thr Ser Cys Cys Ser Ala Ala Glu Ile Met 35 40 45 Ala Val Leu Phe Phe His Thr Met Arg Tyr Lys Ala Leu Asp Pro Arg 50 55 60 Asn Pro His Asn Asp Arg Phe Val Leu Ser Lys Gly His Ala Ala Pro 65 70 75 80 Ile Leu Tyr Ala Val Trp Ala Glu Ala Gly Phe Leu Pro Glu Ala Glu 85 90 95 Leu Leu Asn Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Asp Leu Asp Gly His Pro Val 100 105 110 Pro Lys Gln Ala Phe Thr Asp Val Ala Thr Gly Ser Leu Gly Gln Gly 115 120 125 Leu Gly Ala Ala Cys Gly Met Ala Tyr Thr Gly Lys Tyr Phe Asp Lys 130 135 140 Ala Ser Tyr Arg Val Tyr Cys Met Leu Gly Asp Gly Glu Val Ser Glu 145 150 155 160 Gly Ser Val Trp Glu Ala Met Ala Phe Ala Gly Ile Tyr Lys Leu Asp 165 170 175 Asn Leu Val Ala Ile Phe Asp Ile Asn Arg Leu Gly Gln Ser Asp Pro 180 185 190 Ala Pro Leu Gln His Gln Val Asp Ile Tyr Gln Lys Arg Cys Glu Ala 195 200 205 Phe Gly Trp His Thr Ile Ile Val Asp Gly His Ser Val Glu Glu Leu 210 215 220 Cys Lys Ala Phe Gly Gln Ala Lys His Gln Pro Thr Ala Ile Ile Ala 225 230 235 240 Lys Thr Phe Lys Gly Arg Gly Ile Thr Gly Ile Glu Asp Lys Glu Ala 245 250 255 Trp His Gly Lys Pro Leu Pro Lys Asn Met Ala Glu Gln Ile Ile Gln 260 265 270 Glu Ile Tyr Ser Gln Val Gln Ser Lys Lys Lys Ile Leu Ala Thr Pro 275 280 285 Pro Gln Glu Asp Ala Pro Ser Val Asp Ile Ala Asn Ile Arg Met Pro 290 295 300 Thr Pro Pro Ser Tyr Lys Val Gly Asp Lys Ile Ala Thr Arg Lys Ala 305 310 315 320 Tyr Gly Leu Ala Leu Ala Lys Leu Gly His Ala Ser Asp Arg Ile Ile 325 330 335 Ala Leu Asp Gly Asp Thr Lys Asn Ser Thr Phe Ser Glu Leu Phe Lys 340 345 350 Lys Glu His Pro Asp Arg Phe Ile Glu Cys Tyr Ile Ala Glu Gln Asn 355 360 365 Met Val Ser Ile Ala Val Gly Cys Ala Thr Arg Asp Arg Thr Val Pro 370 375 380 Phe Cys Ser Thr Phe Ala Ala Phe Phe Thr Arg Ala Phe Asp Gln Ile 385 390 395 400 Arg Met Ala Ala Ile Ser Glu Ser Asn Ile Asn Leu Cys Gly Ser His 405 410 415 Cys Gly Val Ser Ile Gly Glu Asp Gly Pro Ser Gln Met Ala Leu Glu 420 425 430 Asp Leu Ala Met Phe Arg Ser Val Pro Met Ser Thr Val Phe Tyr Pro 435 440 445 Ser Asp Gly Val Ala Thr Glu Lys Ala Val Glu Leu Ala Ala Asn Thr 450 455 460 Lys Gly Ile Cys Phe Ile Arg Thr Ser Arg Pro Glu Asn Ala Ile Ile 465 470 475 480 Tyr Ser Asn Asn Glu Asp Phe Gln Val Gly Gln Ala Lys Val Val Leu 485 490 495 Lys Ser Lys Asp Asp Gln Val Thr Val Ile Gly Ala Gly Val Thr Leu 500 505 510 His Glu Ala Leu Ala Ala Ala Glu Ser Leu Lys Lys Asp Lys Ile Ser 515 520 525 Ile Arg Val Leu Asp Pro Phe Thr Ile Lys Pro Leu Asp Arg Lys Leu 530 535 540 Ile Leu Asp Ser Ala Arg Ala Thr Lys Gly Arg Ile Leu Thr Val Glu 545 550 555 560 Asp His Tyr Tyr Glu Gly Gly Ile Gly Glu Ala Val Ser Ala Ala Val 565 570 575 Val Gly Glu Pro Gly Val Thr Val Thr Arg Leu Ala Val Ser Gln Val 580 585 590 Pro Arg Ser Gly Lys Pro Ala Glu Leu Leu Lys Met Phe Gly Ile Asp 595 600 605 Lys Asp Ala Ile Val Gln Ala Val Lys Gly Leu Val Thr Lys Gly 610 615 620 4 60 PRT Yeast 4 Pro His Asn Asp Arg Phe Val Leu Ser Lys Gly His Ala Ala Pro Ile 1 5 10 15 Leu Tyr Ala Val Trp Ala Glu Ala Gly Phe Leu Pro Glu Ala Glu Leu 20 25 30 Leu Asn Leu Arg Lys Ile Ser Ser Asp Leu Asp Gly His Pro Val Pro 35 40 45 Lys Gln Ala Phe Thr Asp Val Ala Thr Gly Ser Leu 50 55 60 5 1284 PRT Drosophila melanogaster 5 Met Ser Lys Ala Arg Ala Glu Lys Asp Thr Leu Trp Ala Gly Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Val Gly Ala Ala Asp Ala Val Lys Ala Thr Arg Gln Thr Val Asp Ala 20 25 30 Trp Leu Val Ser His Ala Thr Ser Ala Gly Asn Asp Val Val Ser Ser 35 40 45 Thr Ser Pro Thr His Ala Asn Gly Gln Thr Ser Ser Ser Arg Gly Gly 50 55 60 Ser Gly Ala Thr Thr Pro Val Arg Lys Ile Ser Ala His Glu Phe Glu 65 70 75 80 Arg Gly Gly Leu Leu Lys Pro Ile Val Asn Thr Ile Asp Gly Thr Pro 85 90 95 Thr Phe Leu Ser Ile Gly Pro Pro Met Asp Asn Gly Ser Val Gly Gly 100 105 110 Ser Cys Ser Asn Leu Gln Asn Val Gly Gly Val Val Ala Gly Gln Tyr 115 120 125 Gln Tyr Asn His Gln Gln His His His Asn His Ala His Leu His His 130 135 140 Ser Gln His Ser His Tyr Gln Ala Gly Gly Ala Val Gly Ser Ser Ser 145 150 155 160 Leu Gly Ser Thr Gly Gly Ala Ser Gly Ala Gly Gly Ala Pro Ser Leu 165 170 175 Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Ala Gly Asn Gly His Gln Tyr Pro Tyr Tyr His 180 185 190 Cys His Gln Arg Pro Gln Arg Leu Ser Arg Asn Glu Leu Lys Gln Leu 195 200 205 Asp Glu Lys Glu Leu Ile Phe Glu Leu Val Lys Asp Ile Cys Asn Glu 210 215 220 Leu Glu Val Arg Thr Leu Cys His Lys Ile Leu Gln Asn Val Ser Ile 225 230 235 240 Leu Leu Asn Ala Asp Arg Gly Ser Leu Phe Leu Val Gln Gly Arg Cys 245 250 255 Asn Gly Pro Asp Gly Leu Lys Lys Cys Leu Val Ser Lys Leu Phe Asp 260 265 270 Val Cys Pro Arg Ser Thr Val Glu Glu Met Glu Gln Gln Asp Glu Val 275 280 285 Arg Val Ala Trp Gly Thr Gly Ile Ala Gly His Val Ala Glu Ser Gly 290 295 300 Glu Pro Val Asn Ile Pro Asp Ala Tyr Gln Asp Glu Arg Phe Asn Cys 305 310 315 320 Glu Ile Asp Ser Leu Thr Gly Tyr Arg Thr Lys Ala Leu Leu Cys Met 325 330 335 Pro Ile Lys Asp Ser Ser Gly Asp Val Ile Gly Val Ala Gln Val Ile 340 345 350 Asn Lys Met Asn Gly Glu Cys Phe Ser Glu Ile Asp Glu Lys Val Phe 355 360 365 Ser Ser Tyr Leu Gln Phe Cys Gly Ile Gly Leu Arg Asn Ala Gln Leu 370 375 380 Tyr Glu Lys Ser Gln Leu Glu Ile Lys Arg Asn Gln Val Leu Leu Asp 385 390 395 400 Leu Ala Arg Met Ile Phe Glu Glu Gln Ser Thr Ile Glu His Met Val 405 410 415 Phe Arg Ile Leu Thr His Met Gln Ser Leu Ile Gln Cys Gln Arg Val 420 425 430 Gln Ile Leu Leu Val His Glu Ala Asp Lys Gly Ser Phe Ser Arg Val 435 440 445 Phe Asp Phe Glu Ala Asn Asp Leu Ser Glu Glu Glu Ala Thr Ser Arg 450 455 460 Thr Ser Pro Tyr Glu Ser Arg Phe Pro Ile Asn Ile Gly Ile Thr Gly 465 470 475 480 His Val Ala Thr Thr Gly Glu Thr Val Asn Val Pro Asn Ala Tyr Glu 485 490 495 Asp Asp Arg Phe Asp Ala Ser Val Asp Glu Asn Ser Cys Phe Lys His 500 505 510 Arg Ser Ile Leu Cys Met Ala Ile Lys Asn Ser Leu Gly Gln Ile Ile 515 520 525 Gly Val Ile Gln Leu Ile Asn Lys Phe Asn Glu Leu Asp Phe Thr Lys 530 535 540 Asn Asp Glu Asn Phe Val Glu Ala Phe Ala Ile Phe Cys Gly Met Gly 545 550 555 560 Ile His Asn Thr His Met Tyr Glu Lys Ala Ile Val Ala Met Ala Lys 565 570 575 Gln Ser Val Thr Leu Glu Val Leu Ser Tyr His Ala Ser Ala Thr Met 580 585 590 Asp Glu Ala His Arg Leu Arg Lys Gln Lys Gln Gln Gln Gln Ala Val 595 600 605 Gly Leu Arg Gln Ala Pro Leu Ser Leu Pro Pro Arg Lys Lys Leu Gln 610 615 620 Arg Arg Leu Arg Val Pro Ser Ala Val His Phe Arg Leu His Asp Phe 625 630 635 640 Lys Phe Asp Asp Ile His Phe Glu Asp Asp Asp Thr Leu Lys Ala Cys 645 650 655 Leu Arg Met Phe Leu Asp Leu Asp Phe Val Glu Arg Phe His Ile Asp 660 665 670 Tyr Glu Val Leu Cys Arg Trp Leu Leu Ser Val Lys Lys Asn Tyr Arg 675 680 685 Asn Val Thr Tyr His Asn Trp Arg His Ala Phe Asn Val Ala Gln Met 690 695 700 Met Phe Ala Ile Leu Thr Thr Thr Gln Trp Trp Lys Ile Phe Gly Glu 705 710 715 720 Ile Glu Cys Leu Ala Leu Ile Ile Gly Cys Leu Cys His Asp Leu Asp 725 730 735 His Arg Gly Thr Asn Asn Ser Phe Gln Ile Lys Ala Ser Ser Pro Leu 740 745 750 Ala Gln Leu Tyr Ser Thr Ser Thr Met Glu His His His Phe Asp Gln 755 760 765 Cys Leu Met Ile Leu Asn Ser Pro Gly Asn Gln Ile Leu Ala Asn Leu 770 775 780 Ser Ser Asp Asp Tyr Cys Arg Val Ile Arg Val Leu Glu Asp Ala Ile 785 790 795 800 Leu Ser Thr Asp Leu Ala Val Tyr Phe Lys Lys Arg Gly Pro Phe Leu 805 810 815 Glu Ser Val Ser Gln Pro Thr Ser Tyr Trp Val Ala Glu Glu Pro Arg 820 825 830 Ala Leu Leu Arg Ala Met Ser Met Thr Val Cys Asp Leu Ser Ala Ile 835 840 845 Thr Lys Pro Trp Glu Ile Glu Lys Arg Val Ala Asp Leu Val Ser Ser 850 855 860 Glu Phe Phe Glu Gln Gly Asp Met Glu Lys Gln Glu Leu Asn Ile Thr 865 870 875 880 Pro Ile Asp Ile Met Asn Arg Glu Lys Glu Asp Glu Leu Pro Met Met 885 890 895 Gln Val Asn Phe Ile Asp Ser Ile Cys Leu Pro Ile Tyr Glu Ala Phe 900 905 910 Ala Thr Leu Ser Asp Lys Leu Glu Pro Leu Val Glu Gly Val Arg Asp 915 920 925 Asn Arg Gly His Trp Ile Asp Leu Ala Asp Val Val Lys Thr Lys Thr 930 935 940 Ser Gln Asp Gln Glu Pro Glu Glu Glu Gln Gln Gln Gln Asn Val Ile 945 950 955 960 Ser Asn Gly Asp Cys Lys Ala Met Ser Asp Asp Asp Val Ala Ala Ser 965 970 975 Glu Ala Glu Val Ala Val Asp Ser Pro Ser Glu Lys Ala Ser Val Asn 980 985 990 Gly Ser Asn Val Ala Asn Asn Ser Ser Asn Thr Asn Lys Lys Ile Ala 995 1000 1005 Val Ala Ser His Pro Thr Ser Thr Gln Pro Ser Asp Asp Asp Asn Asp 1010 1015 1020 Val Asp Ala Asp Ala Asp Asp Val Asp Glu Gln Ala Ala Glu Glu Asn 1025 1030 1035 1040 Gly His Asp Ala Glu Val Asp Glu Ala Ser Cys Arg Ser Asn Ser Thr 1045 1050 1055 Cys Ser Ser Ser Thr Ala Ser Ser Cys Leu Ser Thr Pro Pro Pro Thr 1060 1065 1070 Gly Glu Asp Asp Ser Thr Pro Val Ser Pro Leu Lys Thr Leu Gln Ala 1075 1080 1085 Lys Leu Val Ala Ala Asn Leu Asn Ala Leu Gln Arg Gln Thr Ser Asn 1090 1095 1100 Gln Ala Gln Thr Gln Lys Gln Arg Cys Lys Ser Cys Asp His Ser Arg 1105 1110 1115 1120 Ser Gly Leu Gln Val Arg Lys Thr Ser Ser Leu Arg Gly Ala Gln Glu 1125 1130 1135 Leu Asp Leu Asp Ser Lys Thr Arg Asn Gly Thr His Ala Ala Leu Cys 1140 1145 1150 Lys Ser Thr Pro Val Ile Asn Asn His Ser His His His Asn His Ser 1155 1160 1165 His Ser His Asn His Asn His His His His His His His His Ser His 1170 1175 1180 His Asn His Ser Gln His Gly Ile Gly Ile Gly Ser Ala Ser Ile Gly 1185 1190 1195 1200 Gly Ser Gly Leu Ile Ser Leu Thr Thr Pro Leu Leu Ala Met Asp Ser 1205 1210 1215 Asp Arg Ile Pro Lys Ile Val Gly Lys Ile Gly Asn Leu Asp Gly Leu 1220 1225 1230 Pro Phe Ala Asn Gly Ile Gly Gly Pro Gln Asn Gly His Gly Leu Pro 1235 1240 1245 Phe Gly Ser Tyr Gln His His His His His Gln His His His His Leu 1250 1255 1260 Leu Ala Arg Arg His Ser Glu Thr Asn Ser Asn Gly Ala Thr Ala Met 1265 1270 1275 1280 Ala Val Glu Lys 6 1881 DNA Human 6 atgatggcca acgacgccaa gcccgacgtg aagaccgtgc aggtgctgcg ggacacagcc 60 aaccgcctgc ggatccattc catcagggcc acgtgtgcct ctggttctgg ccagctcacg 120 tcgtgctgca gtgcagcgga ggtcgtgtct gtcctcttct tccacacgat gaagtataaa 180 cagacagacc cagaacaccc ggacaacgac cggttcatcc tctccagggg acatgctgct 240 cctatcctct atgctgcttg ggtggaggtg ggtgacatca gtgaatctga cttgctgaac 300 ctgaggaaac ttcacagcga cttggagaga caccctaccc cccgattgcc gtttgttgac 360 gtggcaacag ggtccctagg tcagggatta ggtactgcat gtggaatggc ttatactggc 420 aagtaccttg acaaggccag ctaccgggtg ttctgcctta tgggagatgg cgaatcctca 480 gaaggctctg tgtgggaggc ttttgctttt gcctcccact acaacttgga caatctcgtg 540 gcggtcttcg acgtgaaccg cttgggacaa agtggccctg caccccttga gcatggcgca 600 gacatctacc agaattgctg tgaagccttt ggatggaata cttacttagt ggatggccat 660 gatgtggagg ccttgtgcca agcattttgg caagcaagtc aagtgaagaa caagcctact 720 gctatagttg ccaagacctt caaaggtcgg ggtattccaa atattgagga tgcagaaaat 780 tggcatggaa agccagtgcc aaaagaaaga gcagatgcaa ttgtcaaatt aattgagagt 840 cagatacaga ccaatgagaa tctcatacca aaatcgcctg tggaagactc acctcaaata 900 agcatcacag atataaaaat gacctcccca cctgcttaca aagttggtga caagatagct 960 actcagaaaa catatggttt ggctctggct aaactgggcc gtgcaaatga aagagttatt 1020 gttctgagtg gtgacacgat gaactccacc ttttctgaga tattcaggaa agaacaccct 1080 gagcgtttca tagagtgtat tattgctgaa caaaacatgg taagtgtggc actaggctgt 1140 gctacacgtg gtcgaaccat tgcttttgct ggtgcttttg ctgccttttt tactagagca 1200 ttcgatcagc tccgaatggg agccatttct caagccaata tcaaccttat tggttcccac 1260 tgtggggtat ccactggaga agatggagtc tcccagatgg ccctggagga tctagccatg 1320 ttccgaagca ttcccaattg tactgttttc tatccaagtg atgccatctc gacagagcat 1380 gctatttatc tagccgccaa taccaaggga atgtgcttca ttcgaaccag ccaaccagaa 1440 actgcagtta tttatacccc acaagaaaat tttgagattg gccaggccaa ggtggtccgc 1500 cacggtgtca atgataaagt cacagtaatt ggagctggag ttactctcca tgaagcctta 1560 gaagctgctg accatctttc tcaacaaggt atttctgtcc gtgtcatcga cccatttacc 1620 attaaacccc tggatgccgc caccatcatc tccagtgcaa aagccacagg cggccgagtt 1680 atcacagtgg aggatcacta cagggaaggt ggcattggag aagctgtttg tgcagctgtc 1740 tccagggagc ctgatatcct tgttcatcaa ctggcagtgt caggagtgcc tcaacgtggg 1800 aaaactagtg aattgctgga tatgtttgga atcagtacca gacacattat agcagccgta 1860 acacttactt taatgaagta a 1881 

1. An isolated polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide and being selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected form the group consisting of: amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:
 2. b) a polynuecleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 1 or 6; c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and (b); d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a to (d).
 2. An expression vector containing any polynucleotide of claim
 1. 3. A host cell containing the expression vector of claim
 2. 4. A substantially purified transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide of claim
 1. 5. A method for producing a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) culturing the host cell of claim 3 under conditions suitable for the expression of the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide; and b) recovering the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide from the host cell culture.
 6. A method for detection of a polynucleotide encoding a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide in a biological sample comprising the following steps: a) hybridizing any polynucleotide of claim 1 to a nucleic acid material of a biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and b) detecting said hybridization complex.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein before hybridization, the nucleic acid material of the biological sample is amplified.
 8. A method for the detection of a polynucleotide of claim 1 or a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide of claim 4 comprising the steps of: contacting a biological sample with a reagent which specifically interacts with the polynucleotide or the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide.
 9. A diagnostic kit for conducting the method of any one of claims 6 to
 8. 10. A method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with any transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide of claim 1; detecting binding of the test compound to the transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme.
 11. A method of screening for agents which regulate the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide of claim 1; and detecting a transketolase-like enzyme activity of the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which increases the transketolase-like enzyme activity is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing the activity of the transketolase-like enzyme, and wherein a test compound which decreases the transketolase-like enzyme activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of the transketolase-like enzyme.
 12. A method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with any polynucleotide of claim 1 and detecting binding of the test compound to the polynucleotide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polynucleotide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of transketolase-like enzyme.
 13. A method of reducing the activity of transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a cell with a reagent which specifically binds to any polynucleotide of claim 1 or any transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide of claim 4, whereby the activity of transketolase-like enzyme is reduced.
 14. A reagent that modulates the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme polypeptide or a polynucleotide wherein said reagent is identified by the method of any of the claim 10 to
 12. 15. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the expression vector of claim 2 or the reagent of claim 14 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 16. Use of the pharmaceutical composition of claim 15 for modulating the activity of a transketolase-like enzyme in a disease.
 17. Use of claim 16 wherein the disease is cancer, anemia, end-stage renal disease and sensory periphery neuropathy associated with uremia.
 18. A cDNA encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 19. The cDNA of claim 18 which comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 or
 6. 20. The cDNA of claim 18 which consists of SEQ ID NO:1 or
 6. 21. An expression vector comprising a polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 22. The expression vector of claim 21 wherein the polynucleotide consists of SEQ ID NO:1 or
 6. 23. A host cell comprising an expression vector which encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 24. The host cell of claim 23 wherein the polynucleotide consists of SEQ ID NO:1 or
 6. 25. A purified polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 26. The purified polypeptide of claim 25 which consists of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 27. A fusion protein comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2.
 28. A method of producing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, comprising the steps of: culturing a host cell comprising an expression vector which encodes the polypeptide under conditions whereby the polypeptide is expressed; and isolating the polypeptide.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the expression vector comprises SEQ ID NO:1 or
 6. 30. A method of detecting a coding sequence for a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, comprising the steps of: hybridizing a polynucleotide comprising 11 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or 6 to nucleic acid material of a biological sample, thereby forming a hybridization complex; and detecting the hybridization complex.
 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of amplifying the nucleic acid material before the step of hybridizing.
 32. A kit for detecting a coding sequence for a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, comprising: a polynucleotide comprising 11 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or 6; and instructions for the method of claim
 30. 33. A method of detecting a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, comprising the steps of: contacting a biological sample with a reagent that specifically binds to the polypeptide to form a reagent-polypeptide complex; and detecting the reagent-polypeptide complex.
 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the reagent is an antibody.
 35. A kit for detecting a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, comprising: an antibody which specifically binds to the polypeptide; and instructions for the method of claim
 33. 36. A method of screening for agents which can modulate the activity of a human transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (1) amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 and (2) the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and detecting binding of the test compound to the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polypeptide is identified as a potential agent for regulating activity of the human transketolase-like enzyme.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell.
 38. The method of claim 36 wherein the cell is in vitro.
 39. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell-free system.
 40. The method of claim 36 wherein the polypeptide comprises a detectable label.
 41. The method of claim 36 wherein the test compound comprises a detectable label.
 42. The method of claim 36 wherein the test compound displaces a labeled ligand which is bound to the polypeptide.
 43. The method of claim 36 wherein the polypeptide is bound to a solid support.
 44. The method of claim 36 wherein the test compound is bound to a solid support.
 45. A method of screening for agents which modulate an activity of a human transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (1) amino acid sequences which are at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 and (2) the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and detecting an activity of the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which increases the activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential agent for increasing the activity of the human transketolase-like enzyme, and wherein a test compound which decreases the activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential agent for decreasing the activity of the human transketolase-like enzyme.
 46. The method of claim 45 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell.
 47. The method of claim 45 wherein the cell is in vitro.
 48. The method of claim 45 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell-free system.
 49. The method of claim 45 wherein the activity is cyclic AMP formation.
 50. The method of claim 45 wherein the activity is mobilization of intracellular calcium.
 51. The method of claim 45 wherein the activity is phosphoinositide metabolism.
 52. A method of screening for agents which modulate an activity of a human transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a product encoded by a polynucleotide which comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 6; and detecting binding of the test compound to the product, wherein a test compound which binds to the product is identified as a potential agent for regulating the activity of the human transketolase-like enzyme.
 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the product is a polypeptide.
 54. The method of claim 52 wherein the product is RNA.
 55. A method of reducing activity of a human Transketolase-like enzyme, comprising the step of: contacting a cell with a reagent which specifically binds to a product encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 6, whereby the activity of a human transketolase-like enzyme is reduced.
 56. The method of claim 55 wherein the product is a polypeptide.
 57. The method of claim 56 wherein the reagent is an antibody.
 58. The method of claim 55 wherein the product is RNA.
 59. The method of claim 58 wherein the reagent is an antisense oligonucleotide.
 60. The method of claim 59 wherein the reagent is a ribozyme.
 61. The method of claim 55 wherein the cell is in vitro.
 62. The method of claim 55 wherein the cell is in vivo.
 63. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a reagent which specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 64. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 63 wherein the reagent is an antibody.
 65. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a reagent which specifically binds to a product of a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 6; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 66. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 65 wherein the reagent is a ribozyme.
 67. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 65 wherein the reagent is an antisense oligonucleotide.
 68. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 65 wherein the reagent is an antibody.
 69. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: an expression vector encoding a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 70. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 69 wherein the expression vector comprises SEQ ID NO:1 or
 6. 71. A method of treating a transketolase-like enzyme disease, comprising the step of: administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a reagent that modulates a function of a human transketolase-like enzyme, whereby symptoms of the transketolase-like enzyme disease are ameliorated.
 72. The method of claim 71 wherein the reagent is identified by the method of claim
 36. 73. The method of claim 71 wherein the reagent is identified by the method of claim
 45. 74. The method of claim 71 wherein the reagent is identified by the method of claim
 52. 75. The method of claim 71 wherein the disease is cancer, anemia, end-stage renal disease and sensory periphery neuropathy associated with uremia. 